How to grow in love for God?

[rosemerry]

I have a hard time really grasping God’s love for us and knowing how to love God deeply. I love my faith, the Church, and of course the Lord. Yet I’m not sure if I love Him with my whole heart when I absolutely should.

I think I’m looking for that “in love” feeling that people get in relationships, but I don’t know how to feel it with God. I have felt that in-love high after retreats, for example, but I can’t get it back. I know that in mature relationships, loving a person is a choice as the fuzzy feeling goes away; is it the same way with loving God?

Any tips on how to grow in love with our Lord would be great. Thank you!

 

[CRATUS]

I have a hard time really grasping God’s love for us and knowing how to love God deeply. I love my faith, the Church, and of course the Lord. Yet I’m not sure if I love Him with my whole heart when I absolutely should.

I think I’m looking for that “in love” feeling that people get in relationships, but I don’t know how to feel it with God. I have felt that in-love high after retreats, for example, but I can’t get it back. I know that in mature relationships, loving a person is a choice as the fuzzy feeling goes away; is it the same way with loving God?

Any tips on how to grow in love with our Lord would be great. Thank you!

Many of the saints did not always feel the ecstasies of union with God. Just keep praying. You may not always feel something.

 

[fred_conty]

I have a hard time really grasping God’s love for us and knowing how to love God deeply. I love my faith, the Church, and of course the Lord. Yet I’m not sure if I love Him with my whole heart when I absolutely should.

I think I’m looking for that “in love” feeling that people get in relationships, but I don’t know how to feel it with God. I have felt that in-love high after retreats, for example, but I can’t get it back. I know that in mature relationships, loving a person is a choice as the fuzzy feeling goes away; is it the same way with loving God?

Any tips on how to grow in love with our Lord would be great. Thank you!

I believe Jesus said, “if you love me keep my commandments.”
He said, “By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
And again, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.”
And “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him.”

These are just a few of the ideas that Jesus presents to us about pleasing him. And isn’t that what love is about, pleasing the other?

 

[pianistclare]

I believe Jesus said, “if you love me keep my commandments.”
He said, “By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
And again, “Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart.”
And “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him.”

These are just a few of the ideas that Jesus presents to us about pleasing him. And isn’t that what love is about, pleasing the other?

THIS^^^

 

[Anony_Mous]

I have a hard time really grasping God’s love for us and knowing how to love God deeply. I love my faith, the Church, and of course the Lord. Yet I’m not sure if I love Him with my whole heart when I absolutely should.

I think I’m looking for that “in love” feeling that people get in relationships, but I don’t know how to feel it with God. I have felt that in-love high after retreats, for example, but I can’t get it back. I know that in mature relationships, loving a person is a choice as the fuzzy feeling goes away; is it the same way with loving God?

Any tips on how to grow in love with our Lord would be great. Thank you!

I made a long list of personal experiences I thought were amazing, miracles, extraordinary incidences, near deaths and near misses, revelations of truth, progresses from past to present transformations of maturity, wisdom, spirituality, and emotional well-being. After re-appraisal of my list, I realised that I truly have been looked after to survive this long in life.

Not too long afterwards, I was walking home from church, I felt so grateful for my life. I decided to tell God that I loved him. So I did, but I knew it was not really that genuine. So I tried again and again until I really meant it from my heart. Suddenly I felt a rush of love in my heart as if I received tenfold of what I sent out. It almost took my breath away. I knew THAT did not come from me. It definitely was from God.

Since then, I remember my gratitude list and how I felt that love of God fulfill me. That remembering and feeling grateful always relights the light in my heart. That little light is my pilot light for praising God.

Now, whenever I focus on that light in my heart I fall in love with it, for it comes from God. While I am loving that, I am actually loving the Love that loves me. As soon as I realize that fact, My love for God grows more and more and more. It does not take me long to be engulfed in that* unconditional love of God that loves me.* In that state, I am in heaven. All becomes clear to me. I become fearless and true.

 

[eazyduzit]

St. Peter recommends, “…desire the sincere milk of the word that you may GROW thereby.”
I especially like meditating on Ephesians. The first chapter overflows with wonderful gifts of God that engenders more love for Him.

 

[multitude]

I don’t worry about this that much. The Archbishop Fulton Sheen once mentioned something quite insightful; have you ever noticed, that the saints were scared of Hell, but sinners never are? In other words, I find it doubtful most people love God to the extent that their love for Him will cancel out any fear they may have of Hell.

Love the Virgin Mary. Imitate Her virtues, Her humility, Her perfect love for God. No one loves God as much as She does.

 

[Anony_Mous]

I don’t worry about this that much. The Archbishop Fulton Sheen once mentioned something quite insightful; have you ever noticed, that the saints were scared of Hell, but sinners never are? In other words, I find it doubtful most people love God to the extent that their love for Him will cancel out any fear they may have of Hell…

Sorry, but I disagree.
Please consider the martyrs who abandon ‘self’ to be with God.
They held onto the love they had for Jesus and God to the very end.

Fear is the opposite of love. While in love one is fearless. There is no room for fear, unless their love is conditional.
Most people have never experienced unconditional love.
Conditional love is based on fear, and to avoid that fear. They come from a reference point of fear and not of love.

 

[Googler]

We are to know, love and serve God.
The purpose of knowing God is to love Him.
God revealed Himself in Jesus Christ to seek our love.
In an act of profound humility the Living God became one of His creatures so He could die and free us from the consequences of sin. He didn’t have to die because He was conceived without sin. But He chose the will of His Father to redeem us by His passion and death on Calvary.
He also became man to remain with us until the end of time. The Holy Eucharist has been with us since the Blessed Virgin conceived her Incarnate Lord.
He dwelt among us to show us the way. We are to practice humility, patience, obedience, poverty, chastity and selfless charity.
He lived and died and rose from the dead, then ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us.
Jesus is at the right hand of His Heavenly Father and also in His bodily presence on earth.
We believe in Him and trust in His grace.
We tell our Lord that we love Him from the depths of our hearts.
To please Him, we give our heart to the Holy Eucharist.
This is what we can offer back to him as a worthy gift.
God, who is love, became man so that Love may live among us.

 

[multitude]

Sorry, but I disagree.
Please consider the martyrs who abandon ‘self’ to be with God.
They held onto the love they had for Jesus and God to the very end.

Fear is the opposite of love. While in love one is fearless. There is no room for fear, unless their love is conditional.
Most people have never experienced unconditional love.
Conditional love is based on fear, and to avoid that fear. They come from a reference point of fear and not of love.

Go read up on the Circumcellion heresy.

 

[Anony_Mous]

Go read up on the Circumcellion heresy.

What has that got to do with what I was referring to.
Are you seriously comparing the Circumcellions to what I was talking about loving God.

Your original post suggested that most religious people fear Hell more than loving God.
I agreed in terms of most people love conditionally. But there are those who love God unconditionally. And there is more of these people than most realize.

 

[Lily_Bernans]

I have a hard time really grasping God’s love for us and knowing how to love God deeply. I love my faith, the Church, and of course the Lord. Yet I’m not sure if I love Him with my whole heart when I absolutely should.

I think I’m looking for that “in love” feeling that people get in relationships, but I don’t know how to feel it with God. I have felt that in-love high after retreats, for example, but I can’t get it back. I know that in mature relationships, loving a person is a choice as the fuzzy feeling goes away; is it the same way with loving God?

Any tips on how to grow in love with our Lord would be great. Thank you!

Sincere prayer. Don’t lie during prayer. God knows all your secrets anyway. Be sincere. Just talk to him about your needs and receive his answers with an open heart. Make plenty of time for God every day. We make time for those we love.

 

[Anony_Mous]

Sincere prayer. Don’t lie during prayer. God knows all your secrets anyway. Be sincere. Just talk to him about your needs and receive his answers with an open heart. Make plenty of time for God every day. We make time for those we love.

Thanks Lily Bernans. I needed to read that. :hug3:

 

[multitude]

What has that got to do with what I was referring to.
Are you seriously comparing the Circumcellions to what I was talking about loving God.

Your original post suggested that most religious people fear Hell more than loving God.
I agreed in terms of most people love conditionally. But there are those who love God unconditionally. And there is more of these people than most realize.

And nobody loves God more unconditionally, than the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Immaculate Heart. Which is why I recommended that people imitate Her virtues, Her compassion and Her selflessness. And precisely so.

And no, I do not wish to speculate on just how many people love God unconditionally so. I will stick with Archbishop Fulton Sheen on this one. It is far more prudent.

 

[John_Martin]

I have a hard time really grasping God’s love for us and knowing how to love God deeply. I love my faith, the Church, and of course the Lord. Yet I’m not sure if I love
Him with my whole heart when I absolutely should.

I think I’m looking for that “in love” feeling that people get in relationships, but I don’t know how to feel it with God. I have felt that in-love high after retreats, for example, but I can’t get it back. I know that in mature relationships, loving a person is a choice as the fuzzy feeling goes away; is it the same way with loving God?

Any tips on how to grow in love with our Lord would be great. Thank you!

Practice the presence of God, all day long, every day.
By this, I mean, every time you are about to do something, call out his name, and tell him you are about to do this thing, for him.

Lord, I am about to get up out of bed, for you. Then get out of bed, for him.
Jesus, I am about to get ready for work, and I do it for you, a gift. Then get ready for work, as a gift to him.
Father, I am about to eat breakfast, for you, and in thanks to you. Then eat breakfast, for him, as if his angel had called you to “rise and eat”, and you are doing it for him.
Spirit of God, I am about to drive to work / to the store / to Mass; I am doing it for you in gladness for your presence in me. Then drive to work or the store or to Mass with the Spirit of God moving within you, you are his new creation, as he moved over the waters of his first creation.
Jesus, I am about to talk with this certain person, and I will talk to them for you. Then talk to the person with Jesus beside you and within you.
Father, I am about to prepare dinner for the family you gave me, and I am doing it for you. Then prepare the meal with him present
Lord, I am going to lie down to sleep now, for you. Then lie down and rest with him presnt.
etc.

All day long, every day.

Brother Lawrence has an explanation of this, written several hundred years ago, - a short little booklet that you can find here: ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice.iii.i.html

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

If you ever get that “eek” feeling about fellow Christians, say “God help them through it, and help me through it”. No matter how dubious we suspect what might lie on the other side.

Likewise incidents and uncertainties involving life’s circumstances.

Steep yourself in Scriptures on all subjects.

That’s being in love with God.

 

[multitude]

If you’re talking about me, just chalk it up to me being paranoid as of late. Too many Poe’s and too many jokers. No worries. God bless everyone!

 

[Lily_Bernans]

Thanks Lily Bernans. I needed to read that. :hug3:

You’re welcome, AM. Have a good day!

God bless.