“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God …” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
God is always leading us into love. Love is God’s weapon. To love others with the love of God goes a long way in disarming the enemy of their soul. Knowing Satan’s devices, Paul told the Corinthians to “confirm” their love to a man whose soul desperately needed such assurance. (2 Cor. 2:8,11)
We need to be one step ahead of the wicked one. We need to see the danger afar off, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others. Our wrath will not work the righteousness of God in anyone. Patience, mercy, forbearance, longsuffering, and above all, love that covers a multitude of sins, is what God calls us to in the face of every powerful emotion that arises in our hearts.
And what if it “doesn’t work”? Love never fails. Know that even when love seems to have failed, it has not, because God is well pleased with those who have been led by His Spirit and given a witness of His love.
Keep loving and keep believing that God will work through the love you show.