Teresa Poucher

The rock band, Nazareth, recorded a remake of a song by the Everly Brothers in 1974 entitled “Love Hurts.” If you don’t care for someone, their slurs or actions might anger you for a moment, but let a loved one do something morally wrong, and it hurts.
Several years ago, I was praying and said, “God, let me love until it hurts.” I no sooner said that than I thought, “Oh no! What did I say?”
I’m reading about Hosea. My goodness, what misery! Hosea learned somewhat about how God hurts. He was instructed to marry a prostitute. No, I haven’t committed adultery, but what about idolatry? We (not God) like to categorize sin as big or small. Hosea learned the heart of God. He felt His pain, so angry at times that He wanted to destroy, then a desire to restore.
Yes, love does hurt; it took our Savior from glory to Mount Calvary to die a shameful and painful death. I don’t like pain or bruising, but if it means I can bring someone to a relationship with Jesus, let me love until it hurts.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)
“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)