My Heart Aches

My Heart Aches
-Fear has no room in love
-Counterfeit love will bring counterfeit joy
-A broken heart is a requirement for love to be perfected

Insecurity, shame, fear

1) Read 1 John 4:18; Proverbs 18:24; Psalm 40:1-4. What characteristics of God are highlighted? What does that mean for us? How different would/ could your life look if you were without fear?

2) Read 1 John 4:8; 2 Peter 3:9. How important is it to have the proper definition of love? Are you thankful that God is slow to fulfill certain promises so that you have time to repent?

3) Read Isaiah 43:25 and revisit 1 John 4:8 and 2 Peter 3:9. In what ways are the traits of a broken heart (insecurity, shame, fear) in contrast with the traits of God?

4) A broken heart is a requirement for love to be perfected. Joel used King David as the example. How did King David's broken heart allow for the perfecting love of God to manifest?

For pondering: Might you be experiencing counterfeit joy because you have accepted counterfeit love? Ask the Lord to show you HIS perfect love and true joy and allow him to right your course.