We find love not by being loved, but by loving. If we try to draw others to ourselves, we would never know love; nor would we find it by centering our love in them. For love is infinite; it is never ours to create. We could only channel it from its source in infinity to all whom we meet. Loving is a vague concept, so let's try to understand some effective ways to love others.
I have learned to inspire people to have confidence because they are insecure. Beneath their façade lies memories of a painful past and anxiety over what's coming their way. Let’s tell them that God says that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). When nothing else works, God is all we need because His Word does work.

People need to feel special, so compliment them. The best way to do it, is when they least expect it, and make it clear that you expect nothing in return. Mary Kay Ash, founder of a major cosmetics company, said, 'Everyone has an invisible sign hanging around his/her neck saying, "Make me feel important!"' God's Word tells us how much He loves us, how special we are, and He has great plans for us.

Give people hope because they are looking for a better tomorrow. Let them know that when we put God in the center of our lives, our future will be better than our past. As long as we seek the Lord, God will  make us prosper (2 Chronicles 26:5).

Listen to people because they need to be understood. The trouble is, it takes more time than we're willing to give. We're in too much of a hurry to hand out advice and move on, and it doesn't work. Before people can be 'fixed,' they must feel understood.

Be a role model because people need one. St. Paul told the Corinthians, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). Too often we're unaware of the example we set and the impression we're making. Whether we like it or not, what we do, and don't do, influences others. When we leave this world, what we leave behind is our influence.

By Tim Pedrosa

  

The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well.-Elisabeth Kubler-Ross