God's Example of Love: Faithful Commitment

“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

God's example of love is not based on fleeting feelings but on faithful commitment.

You know that heart-skipping, exciting feeling you called love when you met your spouse? Think back to the long conversations, laughter, and desire to always be together. Beautiful, isn’t it? We often confuse those fleeting feelings, or emotions, with love. But here’s the truth: feelings like these are largely reactions to stimuli with responses that are not meant to last forever. Choice always outlasts emotion.

This week, we are continuing our theme of teaching love as a choice. Thankfully, God's example of love is not based on fleeting feelings but on faithful commitment. We were created in His image and must also love others as He loves us. Yes, your love may have began as a spark. But science and Scripture both confirm that real love endures because it’s chosen.

The consensus of research related to relationship science estimates that the brain’s “in love” chemical cocktail — dopamine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin has an average peak range of 6 to 24 months. Of course, this phase varies by relationships and people. But commonly, after one to three years, the feel-good surges present in the beginning of your romance begins to fade. Additionally, situations, behaviors, psychological factors, hormones, self value/worth, and even personal image affects this feeling and timeline significantly as well. When emotions shift, couples often assume something’s wrong. But it's not romance dying. It's love maturing.

Approaching love based on God's foundational biblical principle is a willingness to deepen your love from something emotional to something eternal. God designed love and marriage as a covenant, not a chemical reaction.

The Bible says, “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:7). These are not feelings. These are choices. This kind of love; devoted, selfless, and steady, doesn’t come naturally. It’s cultivated by faith and discipline. And with time, those daily, intentional choices create the kind of deep, abiding love that no mood swing or circumstance can shake. Approach love using this foundational biblical principle to build a strong covenant relationship that lasts.

Practical Tip:

When emotions dip, choose to operate in love by continuing to demonstrate love through your actions while deploying foundational biblical principles and fundamental best practices to manage whatever difficult season your relationship may be experiencing.

Every morning, complete this sentence: “Today, I choose to love by…” (e.g., listening first, praying for my spouse, giving grace instead of a grudge).

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