Love is a Battlefield... Or Not

     How many times have you felt that you were in an epic battle with, or over, someone?  You pray and pray for God to change that person and the circumstances.  All you can see is how you are justified.  Let me share something that I am learning.  Emotions are a magnifying glass to our circumstance, and quite often it can cause things to go up in flames! 
   Now, I don't tend to open up my Bible blindly and hope to find a great revelation, but a few weeks ago I picked up my Bible and it did happen to fall open to a page with a headline that caught my eye: "have fervent love."  At that time I had been struggling with a situation but was so clouded by my emotions that I had no discernment.  It was 1 Peter 4:8 "Above all things have unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins- forgives and disregards the offenses of others."  I am currently using the Everyday Life Bible, Amplified version, with notes and commentary by Joyce Meyer, and she says (right above this verse) "Love is actually spiritual warfare. This truth makes spiritual warfare fun, because loving people is very enjoyable."  So this culminates into 3 points for me:
    1) Love is not an emotion.  When I am dwelling in my emotions I can't focus clearly on God's will, and I can't put anything or anyone else first.  When I don't rely on my emotions- and I will be honest and tell you that I had to ask God to help me with that!- I have vision.  1 Peter 4:7 says "But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound-minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for the practice of prayer."
    2) Praying for others must be fueled by love.  Love isn't a battlefield.  Love is how you fight the battle, you are defending and covering with your love.  How often do we actually pray for someones destiny and purpose, rather than telling God what that person's faults and downfalls are?  We are eating the fruit of bitterness and death, instead of sowing life. 
   3) When I am walking in love, I am blessed.  Don't be deceived that you are going to be miserable if you always put others first and have to deny your feelings- you don't have to deny your feelings, but don't let them be in control!  "Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing (praying for their welfare, happiness and protection, and truly pitying and loving them).  For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing (from God - that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection)." 1 Peter 3:9  Don't deny yourself peace and joy!
     I pray that as you go through your day the Holy Spirit helps you bring your emotions under control, and that you are able to pray revelation over reality.  Rest in that perfect peace, and walk in the blessing!