1 John 2:15 (NLT):
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”
We can’t touch love, or see it—but who would argue that it isn’t real? When you love someone and they hurt you, it can sting in a way nothing else can. And yet, some say not loving at all is even more painful. In my early twenties, I came to understand that allowing someone access to your heart also meant giving them the potential to wound you. Still, I believed the risk was worth it.
“Who needs love?” That’s the kind of thing you hear from someone who’s either given up on it or never truly experienced it. For a time, I found myself listening to stories—real and raw stories—of people trying to survive relationships. Some could barely stomach going home. Others checked out emotionally when things shifted. When the money got tight, or life got too real, they were gone.
Proverbs 27:19 (NLT) tells us, “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” This truth makes it plain: the heart reveals who a person really is. Just like water mirrors your face, time will mirror someone’s true nature. No matter how long it takes to get to know each other, it always circles back to this: you have to trust God with your heart. That trust will guard you from the fear that love might leave again.
Telling someone to let go of a relationship before they’re ready is usually a waste of words. Most people won’t budge until their heart says it’s time. No matter how toxic, how draining, how off-course it feels—if the heart is still holding on, advice can only do so much. You can reason with your mind, but it’s the heart that often has the final say.
That’s when Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) comes to mind: “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” That kind of word breathes courage back into your bones. It’s what helps you release what no longer serves you and walk boldly into what God has ahead.
God tells us in Proverbs how our hearts reflect who we are—and He also shows us how to discern what’s real. Discernment doesn’t always come in a flash; sometimes it unfolds slowly, like layers being pulled back over time. If you want to know the truth about someone’s love, don’t just listen to what they say. Words can be rehearsed. Emotions can be faked. But actions? Actions tell the story.
Watch what they do when it costs them something. When they’re inconvenienced. When you’re no longer meeting a need for them. That’s when the heart starts to show. Time has a way of revealing what charm can cover up. It’s not about being suspicious—it’s about being prayerful and wise. Because patterns will always surface. Consistency—or the lack of it—will always speak louder than promises.
And when God reveals the truth, trust it. Don’t second-guess what He shows you just because you wanted the story to go differently. Sometimes love means seeing clearly and still choosing peace. Sometimes love means letting go with grace. Either way, God never leaves you without clarity—if you’re willing to see it.
God knows the whole story. People usually just read the headline. That’s why loving someone is always a risk. You’re opening yourself up not just to the joy—but also the possibility of pain. We are imperfect people, and mistakes are a part of the package. But here’s what I’ve learned: love isn’t just what you think it is. It’s deeper. It’s sacred. When love is honest and deep, it doesn’t break you down—it brings the beauty in you to the surface, even when things fall apart. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“What Love Will Teach You”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.