My View of Love
Love, in my view, begins with the profound reality that love is the very essence of God. It is not merely an attribute He displays on occasion, nor a fleeting emotional expression tied to circumstances or sentiment. Love is the core of His being, the foundation from which every divine action flows. God creates out of love, speaks out of love, heals out of love, corrects out of love, and redeems out of love. Love is the atmosphere of Heaven, the identity of the Creator, and the intentional heartbeat behind every expression of His nature. Because humanity was formed in His image, the desire to love and be loved is embedded deeply in our design. Every person, knowingly or unknowingly, embarks on a lifelong journey back toward the Source of love, seeking meaning, belonging, connection, and identity. Our longing for love is not a weakness; it is evidence that we were crafted to reflect the very nature of God.
In this sense, love is far more expansive than emotion, although emotion is certainly one of its beautiful expressions. Love is deeper than desire, stronger than sentiment, and more enduring than feeling. It is not simply something we do; it is something we become. Love is patient and steady, moving with quiet strength rather than hurried impulsiveness. It is kind and considerate, choosing gentleness over reaction and humility over pride. Love honors others by valuing them beyond their imperfections. It resists the pull of irritability, harshness, and offense. It refuses to keep a mental ledger of past wrongs or to rehearse old wounds. Instead, love embraces truth, delights in what is pure and good, and rejects anything that brings harm or diminishes dignity. Love protects consistently, believes courageously, hopes unwaveringly, and endures with remarkable resilience. Because love originates from God, it cannot fail; its strength lies not in human perfection but in divine permanence.
Authentic love, however, cannot remain internal and still remain genuine. It must be expressed, embodied, and demonstrated. Love becomes visible in the words we choose—words that are gentle, life-giving, healing, and filled with grace. It becomes tangible through actions that communicate faithfulness, thoughtfulness, sacrifice, and presence. It is felt most deeply when shown through consistency—being available, attentive, and invested. One of the highest and most transformative expressions of love, in my understanding, is the practice of pre-forgiveness. Pre-forgiveness is the intentional decision to extend grace even before an offense has occurred. It recognizes that human relationships are imperfect and prepares the heart to respond with compassion rather than retaliation. This approach disarms resentment before it forms, dismantles bitterness before it takes root, and eliminates offense before it becomes a barrier. To walk in divine love is to walk in continual forgiveness, not merely as a reaction but as a posture of the heart.
Beyond its divine foundation, love is also something that grows quietly but shapes everything it touches. It does not force itself into existence, nor does it demand or manipulate its way into the life of another person. Love cannot be taken from someone; it can only be offered freely and built mutually. It requires honesty, presence, and the willingness to cultivate connection with intention. Love invites vulnerability—the courage to be seen as we truly are—and offers gentleness in return, holding space for another person’s story without judgment or defensiveness. It is patient enough to listen, humble enough to understand, and strong enough to forgive. Love reveals its strength not in perfect conditions, but in the daily choice two people make to honor one another in the small, imperfect moments where character is tested and connection is strengthened.
Love is also a transformative journey. It changes those who embrace it, softening hardened places within the heart and illuminating the beauty that may have been overlooked in the past. It broadens our perspective, deepens our empathy, and teaches us to appreciate subtleties we once ignored. Love shapes us into better versions of ourselves, not through pressure or control, but through gentle influence and consistent encouragement. It inspires growth and draws out hidden potential, guiding us toward greater emotional and spiritual maturity. Real love is not accidental; it is intentional. It grows through consistent choices, steady commitment, and the recognition that meaningful connection reflects the values we hold and the depth of the heart we’re cultivating.
Above all, love becomes a steady and reassuring presence. It listens with attentiveness, protects without possessiveness, encourages without expectation, and brings peace without demanding perfection. Real love does not control or confine; it liberates and strengthens. It creates an atmosphere where both people feel safe to grow, to dream, and to become more fully themselves. This kind of love nurtures confidence, invites openness, and builds trust that stands firm even through challenge and change.
Perhaps this is why certain people enter our lives and feel immediately familiar, as though our hearts recognize something long before our minds understand it. Such moments of instant connection may very well be forms of love in their early stages—a quiet acknowledgement that we are not meant to walk alone and that certain relationships are divinely aligned. Love, in all its forms, is the language of the soul and the reflection of the God who crafted us.
In the end, my view of love is simple yet profound: love is the nature of God expressed through humanity. It transforms without controlling, heals without forcing, and strengthens without demanding. It invites us into a higher way of living, one rooted in grace, forgiveness, presence, courage, and truth. To know God is to know love. To grow in God is to grow in love. And to love, in its fullest and most intentional form, is to embrace the identity for which we were originally created.
Dr. Daniel LeBlanc
