Love Conquers…

Joyce Wishes You a Happy Black History Month & A Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love Conquers…

“And now abide faith. hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

I intentionally used an ellipsis (…--the three dots) in the title of this month’s eblast, “Love Conquers…” My use of an ellipsis provides opportunities for you to insert words and/or phrases you would like to use to complete the title. In the scheme of things, it’s remembering that love does conquer many situations, circumstances, emotions, and concerns. Isn’t it good to know that you are armed with a “conqueror”? Having love as the conqueror in your life provides you with the armor and the shield that you need to navigate the good, the bad, and the ugly, dealt you in life.?

The month of February is designated as Black History Month, as well as “the month of love,” featuring Valentine’s Day. With all the hate being displayed against Blacks and others of color during the month of February, as well as every day of the year, you probably ask the question, “Where is the love?” In all actuality, it is right inside of you! Hopefully, you will decide to reach inside of you to use the conqueror within. Not only should you reach inside of you during the month of February, but also during each month of the year; always using love as your armor, your shield, and as your navigator.?

No matter what transpires or what has transpired in your life, when all else fails, love transcends all adversity, all tragedies, all disappointments, and all losses. Love stands the test of time. In many cases, love is time. Love is your conqueror in your time of need! It is the base and the basis of your existence. Love is so powerful that it is not only a noun, but also an action verb. The power is not in the word, but in the action shown behind the word. Love isn’t just an emotion, but the work and efforts that accompany an emotion. Tina Turner once sang, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” Love not only has everything to do with ‘it,’ it has everything to do with all things!

As you reflect on your life, it is hoped that you will recognize that love DOES conquer…! In this day and time of hate, divisiveness, racism, sexism, malice, envy, anger, selfishness, fear, betrayal, and so many other negative emotions and actions being cast upon you and against you and those whom you love and care about, you will need to have your shield and your armor. The armor and the shield of love start within you. You were born in and with the love of God, which is an internal state that you possess. It is an attribute which no one can take from you, because they did not give it to you! This God-given love allows you to first love God, to learn to love yourself, and to eventually learn to freely love others. The love of God is your armor and the love you have and show for yourself is your shield.?

If love is all you have, you most certainly have more than you need and more than you can ever imagine, because love is everything!!??As a matter of fact, genuine, agape love is akin to a magnet. The more love you have, the easier it is for you to share it with others. Not only will you attract others through your love, the love of others will also attract you to them!??

It is important for you to recognize that just because love conquerors, it doesn’t mean that everyone will appreciate you and the love you share. It is also important for you to remember that just because you give love, it doesn’t mean that the same will be reciprocated. Sharing and expressing your emotion of love does not give others permission to take advantage of your kindness, by misusing and/or abusing you. It doesn’t give them permission to take your love for granted, mistaking it for a sign of weakness. As you share your love unconditionally, you must use your armor and your shield to protect your mind, your body, your finances, your possessions, and your spirit. When sharing love, you must do so by using discretion and common sense, while implementing realistic and consistent boundaries.??Although “Love Conquers…, it doesn’t mean that you serve as a fool, a doormat, a light switch, or a doorknob for others!?

Now that you have a more in-depth understanding of love’s conquering power, as well as the role love plays in serving as your armor and your shield, it is time for you to replace the ellipsis in the title, “Love Conquers…” with words and phrases that define what love conquers for you. If you are having difficulty replacing the ellipsis in the title, here are suggested words and phrases that you might want to utilize. I am sure that there are many more words or phrases that you probably have in your repertoire; however, I’ve listed just a few of my own. “Love Conquers…”

“Love Conquers…”

·??????The brokenness of your painful past

·??????The pain and struggles associated with self-hatred

·??????The blindness associated with envy and jealousy

·??????The bitterness and difficulties associated with hatred for others

·??????The internal pain associated with loss and grief

·??????The pain associated with racism, sexism, ageism, etc.

·??????The disappointment associated with betrayal

·??????The burdens associated with unforgiveness

·??????The hurt and disappointment associated with rejection and denial

·??????The hesitancy and state of being stuck associated with fear

·??????The actions by right wing Republican supremacists working to suppress and deny voting rights

·??????The actions by right wing Republican supremacists and others working to keep people in poverty while increasing the have nots, the homeless, the helpless, and the hopeless

·??????The actions by right wing Republican supremacists throughout America to write, enact, and enforce unjust and inequitable laws against Blacks, others of color, as well as the poor and disenfranchised??

Love can and will change the dark and hardened hearts of people engaging in the egregious acts of oppressing others. Love can conquer the negative perceptions, negative beliefs, and negative feelings oppressors have toward people different from them; those they seek to oppress. Once love has conquered the actions of the oppressor that are listed above, instead of working to hold people back and hold people down, they will begin to lift people up, help people to stand up, as they help pave roads of opportunity for people to move forward and up. Love with action conquers!!!

Yes, “Love Conquers!” The love you have for self, coupled with the love you receive from others will empower you to mount up with bravery to continue to fight and never give up on life. In time, you will come to see that with love, the above list of life experiences used to replace the ellipsis in the title of this eblast, “Love Conquers…” can and will be defeated. Take some time to reach within the depths of your being for you to access your reservoir of love, complete with its armor and shield. Doing so will help you to conquer any hinderances that get in your way. Love conquers all the negativity that you must face each day of your life. Love helps and heals; it doesn’t hinder or hurt. With your shield and your armor, you are ready to take on the world and you cannot lose. You have the capacity to not only exude love, but to become a beacon of love, recognizing that?love is one of the most powerful assets you possess.??In the scheme of things, “Love Does Conquer….!”?

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” 1 Peter 4:8

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