In our Lent Devotional for Women today, we’re still considering love, but I think in order to understand love, we need to take a minute to look at the opposite of love. You might be thinking ‘hate’ but I want to consider “despair.”
Stick with me here, as you continue to read this Lent Devotional for Women, you’ll understand why I believe despair is the opposite of love, at least for the sake of our Lent Devotional for Women reflection.
Think of two men in the New Testament, one who exemplified love and the other, despair. Did Peter and Judas come to mind? First, before we start digging deeper, make the decision right now, who do we want to be more like? Peter, who loved with everything he was, fell and loved even more? Or Judas who loved and fell, never to get back up again?
Let’s look at the difference between these two friends of Jesus.
Peter eventually got to the point, a very low point, but he got to the point where he realized his love was weak and human and absolutely fallible. And at that point of utter self-knowledge, he wept…but he got back up. And now, this time, he trusted in the love of our Lord, not his own love. He saw who he was, but more importantly, he saw who God was!
And Judas? He couldn’t get over himself; he couldn’t get past himself. He couldn’t get past the pride of knowing how far he fell. Yes, there can be a form of pride that magnifies our weakness and not our strengths. This type of pride leads one to despair and think their sin was so great, there’s no way God could forgive them.
And so instead of trusting in the Father’s love, Judas despaired. This is why I want us to consider despair as the opposite of love. Love brought Peter back to our Lord, despair drove Judas far from our Lord.
“In this world, blessed by divine love and grace, there is never need to despair.” (Fr. Charles Hugo Doyle)
There are two glaring examples of disciples who messed up BIG time in the love department with Christ: Peter and Judas. And we know how the story ends for both of them. Judas couldn’t forgive himself while Peter accepted Christ’s forgiveness. Do you see the difference?
Here’s a Lent Devotional for Women confession, there was a time when my sins felt huge and soul-crushing; I was in despair. And the more I thought of myself, the greater my despair. (And I am not even exaggerating y’all). One day it occurred to me, Peter didn’t walk around introducing himself as “Peter who denied Christ three times.” He may not have been able to forgive himself at first, but he allowed Christ to forgive him so he could at least function in his day to day. He was then able to continue the life entrusted to him and his mission, which was to love Christ and bring others to Christ so they could love Him. (John 21:15-18)
When we are in despair or even headed down that road, the enemy must be doing the happiest of all happy dances!!
I realized it wasn’t God keeping me in this state of despair, it was the enemy. If I continued to wallow in myself, I wouldn’t be able to move on. I wouldn’t be available to encourage and help others. I wouldn’t be able to share Jesus and His love. You know the saying, “Follow the money trail.” I followed the despair/love trail. The enemy had all the reasons in the world to keep me in fear and despair. God had none.
God’s purpose is for us is to know, love, serve and share Him. Keeping me in despair would defeat every.single.one.of His plans for my life!
Let’s take a look at the qualities and differences of love and despair and let’s do it by examining our conscience. No that was not a trick, that’s where it begins, self-knowledge and then how we react to what we find out about ourselves. That my friends will be a great indicator of how we will react to others, but more importantly (I kind of feel like I say ‘more importantly’ more than I should?) how we react to God when we come to know ourselves.
What do you need to forgive yourself for right now?
What unforgiveness are you carrying around that is affecting your ability to love Jesus and be loved by Him?
When was the last time you went to confession?
When was the last time you just Adored Jesus and let Him adore you?
Click here for all the Lent Devotional for Women posts.
This was a very good devotional and I enjoyed it very much. I never gave much thought about the opposite of love, but you have definitely given me something to think about. Thanks, Jenny.
Perfect!
Wow! This was really a eye opener thank you! I never like most people said thought of comperaing peter and Judas. This is going with me to my bible discussion group! I think they would find it very interesting just as I did. Thank you!
Thank for letting me know you enjoyed this.
Wow! This was a bit of an eye-opener for me. And, I thank you! I’ve never compared Peter to Judas when it came to love! and I’m glad to have found this article during lent season 😉
I’m delighted you found the post. There are more following, one for each day of Lent so far.
THIS. Thank you for this. I’m behind on your devotionals, clearly. But this happened to hit me on the most appropriate day. Keep them coming! Loving it!
You’re obviously not behind Jen, right where you need to be. Thanks for letting me know my words were of any use♥
Beautifully said, Jenny!
Beautiful reflection! It goes hand in hand with what I’m reading this week in Forty Weeks: An Ignatian Path to Christ with Sacred Story Prayer by William M. Watson, SJ. I’m just getting started but I believe it’s going to be a book I will highly recommend when I’m done! Peace
Thanks for the book recommendation Vilma…I think, lol! There’s always another good book out there just just waiting to be read 🙂
This is a beautiful post, and I am tempted to print it out and put it up on my bedroom wall so I can reflect on it every day. Thank you for this! A priest concluded my confession to him once, because he sensed my self loathing and almost despair, by emphasizing, “I absolve you of your sins . . . Go in peace.”
AJ, you are the second to mention printing out the posts so I’m looking into a way. And thank you for letting me know these words were of some value to you today. I appreciate it 🙂
Your Lenten Devotional has been very inspiring and thought provoking. Thank you for humbly sharing your faith with us!