“Love is a decision, not an emotion.”
37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
Acts 15:37-39
The walk that God designed for us to have is one of faith. Not feelings.
The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
When you choose feelings of bitterness over love you are choosing the circumstances over God. What moves you? Is it your feelings? Is it the events of your past? Or is it your heart desire to be more like God? Well, God is love.
Is it easy to love? Not always! Some people are easier than others to walk in love with. However, that is their problem, not yours. Difficult people are missing the most important thing, love. They are missing out on relationships. Your responsibility is to do what GOD said to do.
Galatians 5:13 (Practice Love)
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.
You think, well okay, I have to walk in love. (Big sigh!) No you get to. You get to act like Jesus. Have those people you are having a problem with beat you until your face is unrecognizable? Have they nailed you to a cross? That is what they did to Jesus. But what did he say? Father forgive them. It was the ultimate display of love.
Sometimes we have to draw boundaries so that people don’t bring harm into our lives. That’s okay. Sometimes people quit talking to us or separate themselves from us. So how do you love a person like that? You pray for them. You pray the Word of God over them. You ask God to let you see them the way He sees them. The way He saw you when you were most unlovable. It will change your heart. And soon, the feelings of love will follow the action of prayer.
Victory Decision
As time went by and Paul chose to walk in love toward Mark, this relationship became profitable for the spreading of the Gospel. When I act in love, the feelings will follow. From this point on I choose to walk in love.