Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.
Love never fails.
Love always perseveres.
Persevere: v. to continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no indication of success.
Love never fails.
Fail: v. to be unsuccessful in achieving one's goal; to miscarry; to fall through.
How do these definitions fit within the realm of boundaries?
If love always perseveres, but then if I have to set a firm boundary and essentially walk away, does it mean I gave up on that person? Does it mean I didn't love well?
If love never fails, then does that mean I fell through in loving well?
Look at this version.
Love is never without effect.
Effect: n. a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause. v. to cause something to happen; to bring about.
To love well is to bring about change.
So, if I lean into a theorem of 'if this, then that,'
then to set a boundary,
to walk away,
is not to fail.
It is to love well, if the boundary will create positive change.
Perhaps a boundary has nothing to do with love.
Or maybe a boundary is rooted in love.
* * *
"Sometimes it hurts in love, and sometimes it hurts instead."
~ Adele
Your post made me think of a situation I was in with some friends I use to minister with. They have embraced some false teaching that I could not ignore or compromise on. 2Tim.2:23-26 is so necessary when speaking the truth in love. I shared biblical truth and then had to walk away. It isn't always easy, but I have no doubt the Lord will use all this for our good. love and prayers!
"Or maybe a boundary is rooted in love." I think you have something there, Tricia.
This is a great post! So true, that love can be hard and boundaries are needed. I think the biggest problem we have is confusing love with infatuation and those highs that we get when we first meet someone (new romance, new baby). Love is a decision we make to keep going even when it is hard. And with our kids, like the Lord says, we discipline them (which often hurts us more than them!) because we love them. Letting someone run wild over you isn't love. Thanks for sharing!