Twin City church of Christ Blog
“May 29, 2024 - Love Hurts”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsLove Hurts
Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:1-5
There is history behind these verses. At some point between 1 Corinthians and this letter, Paul has made a “painful visit”(2 Cor 2:1) to Corinth in which someone there made attacks on Paul (2 Cor 2:5-8). (Some suppose this is the incestuous man from 1 Cor 5). After the visit, Paul wrote a letter prompting the group to act against the man (2 Cor 2:3-4). Here Paul frankly describes his emotions as the problem unfolded. “For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?”(2 Cor 2:1-2). This is the reason for Paul’s altered travel plans: rather than the joy of reunion, Paul would find the pain of rejection. More, Paul is worried about causing them pain by coming (2 Cor 1:23, 2:2).
He also gives a window into his emotions while writing the letter. “For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you”(2 Cor 2:4). Letters (and emails and texts) often veil the true emotions of the writer. We can come across as stern or cold. However he may have sounded, Paul wants them to know that he felt “anguish of heart” and that “many tears” soaked the page. The reason is that he knew his words would pain the ones he loved so much. He wanted to challenge them, but also to “let you know the abundant love that I have for you.” Love hurts.
There is a side of love that our culture often ignores. Love hurts—not because those we love disappoint us or betray us. Love hurts because it sometimes involves confrontation, hard honesty, challenge, rebuke, warning, and concern. When we care about people, we say important things to them even though they may hurt. Meanwhile, it hurts us to see the effect our love has. We are caught between the rock of saying what is needed and the hard place of causing pain. To truly, deeply love, we must embrace this pain.
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One Thing to Think About: How have I experienced love causing pain?
One Thing to Pray For: The courage to love others even when it hurts them and me
