“Love comes from God, and those who love, know God”. 1 John 4: 7-8
This powerful verse points to a deeper truth about love, often hidden by many misconceptions and myths. In this post, we’ll explore 3 misconceptions about love that might be holding you back from experiencing the real thing.
Misconception #1 Love is Weak
The first belief about love is people often think that “love is weak”. This is because being involved in a relationship requires us to be vulnerable. I mean, who wants to open themselves up and risk being hurt, or rejected? Who’s quick to make themselves susceptible to emotional pain only to find out the relationship will end and end horribly?
In this case, it’s fair to assume that love is weak. However, it’s not love itself that’s weak, moreover, it’s more about who we choose to be vulnerable to. I’ll add that another reason people believe love is weak is that they define “love” based on their unstable, finicky emotions. Love however is not a feeling, it’s a choice.
The truth about this misconception is love is not weak. Love requires a great deal of strength, courage, and faith. There’s nothing weak about this.
Misconception #2 Love is Blind
Believing that “love is blind” originates from the idea that you are so ‘in love‘ with a person, that you’re blinded by their characteristics while dismissing anything that goes against your values, morals, or beliefs. Contrary to popular belief, this is lust, not love.
I recall a time when I was in high school and rumors were floating around that a guy, who was my boyfriend at the time, was sleeping with other girls around the school. Deep down, I knew the rumors were true. Yet, instead of ending the relationship, I allowed my desire to be with him to blind me to the truth.
Lust always blinds us from seeing a person for who they truly are. You’ll be blind because you prioritize your feelings, desires, and emotions over what’s good and true. Love and truth go hand in hand, one can’t walk in lies and love simultaneously.
The reason love can’t be blind is because love enables you to see a person for who they truly are. Love is sightful and thoughtful and has the power to prevent you from being emotionally deceived. You will never have to compromise your values, morals, or beliefs to have it.
Misconception #3 Love Hurts
Most people have never been taught how love works or is to look and, as a result, many accept the myth that pain is an inherent part of love. This is typical because we either didn’t have good examples growing up or if you’re like me, you looked up to ‘Hollywood couples’ as the standard.
Regardless of how you’ve been taught, love does not hurt; people hurt us, not love.
Lies hurt.
Cheating hurts.
Putting expectations on the wrong people and settling for less hurts, not love.
Conclusion
“Love comes from God, and those who love, know God”.
1 John 4:7-8
The ability to love originates from God because God is love. This concept is hard for our tiny minds to understand because we live in a society that has reduced love to be redefined by our feelings and experiences instead of going directly to the source.
We turn to people, who either don’t know “love” themselves are searching or don’t have the capacity. For example, this would be no different from believing people’s bad reviews on a ‘trending movie’. Instead of checking the movie out for yourself, you accept the ‘popular opinion’ and miss out on the opportunity to know the truth and be informed.
In short, when you believe the misconceptions that love hurts, love is blind and love is weak, you accept lies that prevent you from experiencing the real thing.
