“Tested by Love”
By Dianne Prince
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” — 1 John 4:7 NKJV
Valentine’s Day often celebrates comfort, romance, and easy expressions of love. But true love—God’s love—reveals itself most clearly not in moments of ease, but in moments of trial.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
The same is true for our relationships and our faith. It is easy to love when life is smooth, when words flow freely, and when hearts are aligned. Yet love becomes authentic when it is tested—by conflict, sacrifice, or disagreement.
Scripture reminds us that God’s love endured the greatest challenge—sending His Son to the cross for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
This Valentine’s Day, ask yourself: How does my love for others stand up when it is tested? Does it grow stronger, or do I pull back? Am I quick to forgive, slow to anger, and steadfast even when it costs me? Be reminded that the measure of your heart is revealed in these moments.
True love is proven not in comfort, but in endurance—the steadfast love that holds on through trials, just as Christ endured for our sake.
May you walk in this enduring love today and always. Have a blessed Valentine’s Day!
