This week I was visiting my son and daughter-in-law in their new home. Hanging on the wall was a picture with these words painted in beautiful calligraphy: “Loved beyond measure.” What a great reminder! You are loved beyond measure!

Even though you might know that in your head, I think it’s good to pause for a moment and let that truth seep down into the very depths of your heart. This is why the Apostle Paul prayed for his friends, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19). The word for “know” that’s used here is a word that implies not just knowing in your head but experiencing that love in your heart. So how might knowing you’re deeply loved impact your ability to listen and love others?

When you know you’re loved, you don’t need to be seen as ‘the expert’. Though Jesus actually was the expert in all things, He listened to and loved others out of a heart of humility. Often in conversations, whether personal or professional, the need to be seen as ‘the expert’ overrides your ability to listen well. Although there might be times when you are under pressure to be seen as ‘the expert,’ if you can let that need go, you’ll be able to listen more effectively.

When you know you’re loved, you won’t need continual validation. We’ve all had those moments when we’re longing for others to affirm and validate us. That’s not wrong. That’s a desire that God has planted within our human spirit. But when we sink down deeply into God’s love and experience His continual affirmation and acceptance, we don’t have to continually clutch for another’s approval. When you let go of the need to be continually validated, you’re more able to focus on the need others have to feel validated and appreciated.

When you know you’re loved, you don’t need to be defensive when criticized. It’s inevitable; you will be criticized at some point. When you feel secure in God’s love, you’re much less likely to become defensive when criticized because you don’t need to keep everyone happy and you don’t need to be afraid to apologize. (Here’s a great article by Michael Hyatt on the anatomy of an apology: https://michaelhyatt.com/ten-difficult-but-really-important-words.html?utm_campaign=mcho-blog&utm_medium=maropost&utm_source=email-broadcast&utm_content=080400&utm_term=existing-list)

The bottom line is this: knowing you are loved beyond measure changes everything. So nestle down in His great love and breath a sigh of relief! His love is deep enough and wide enough to hold you secure no matter what you face this week!

Question: What’s your favorite scripture about God’s love? Leave a comment. Your verse might be just the one another person needs to hear.