When You Need the Reminder That God Really Loves You

As we entered the room and searched for a seat, I noticed a small white flag by each designated spot around the U-shaped table. We retreated together for a few days in search of rest, connection, and inspiration.

The next session began, and each woman reached for a marker to write LOVE on their flag as directed. Music started. Voices sang. Flags raised.

“He brought me to his banqueting table, his banner over me is love.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)

The chorus of scripture continued, and it felt like what we all really needed that weekend was simply the reminder that God loves us. We relished the opportunity to sit under the banner of God’s love and to receive the reminder that love formed us, covers us, and enables us to keep moving forward.

As each woman held a flag of love over their head, I wondered: How would I live differently if I believed that when God looks at me, it’s through a lens of perfect love, not earned but freely given?

Seeing Through a Lens of Love

So often, we live enslaved to the world’s measuring sticks, demanding that we accomplish more and do better.

Perhaps you are weary from serving your families, doubting your capacity to do one more thing, or worrying about how to make ends meet. As parents, co-workers, friends, cleaners, event planners, and travel agents, our job description seemingly never ends.

Scripture commissions us in Christ as missionary lovers of the world, but you also need the personalized, timely reminder: God loves you. Yes, you. Even you.

Embrace God’s Love For You

So, how might we fulfill the jobs God has given us while serving others from a place of love rather than to earn God’s love?

First, we must remind ourselves what God’s word says about his love.

1. God loves you at great cost to Himself.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

2. You can do nothing to change or alter God’s love for you.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

3. His love helps, comforts, and strengthens you.

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

4. He loves you with an abundant, sufficient, and steadfast love.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. (Lamentations 3:22)

5. Because He formed you and loves you, He delights in you.

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you, in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

When we embrace God’s heart toward us, we are better equipped to display his heart to others.

What God’s Love Means For You

When we trust that God’s heart for us is favorable, then it enables, equips, and empowers us to live like it.

It means we embrace obedience because His love empowers us to take the next faithful step forward. We keep a long-term vision of faith, not sight, therefore releasing the expectation that our full reward for faithfulness is found here and now.

Embracing God’s love for us empowers us to live open-handed, because He is a generous Father who has showered us with love and good gifts meant to be shared and used to serve a hurting world. His love enables us to love others boldly, even in the most difficult situations.

Like a parent in a season of tough love with a child, at times God allows you to walk through seasons of discipline, not because He is mad or disappointed, but because He loves you and knows that the refining fire purifies your heart and helps you conform more to Christ.

And most importantly, because God loves you, you have nothing to fear.

If today you find yourself in a position that needs rest, connection, or inspiration—perhaps getting back to the basics of God’s love for you — can silence the lies of striving and performance with the truth that God’s love for you is enough.

Sit and allow these scriptures to sink deeply into the soil of your heart.

Then, write love with a permanent marker on the flag of your life and wave it above everything you do as a banner to God’s goodness and sufficiency in your life.

Finally, wave it over those who are sojourning through life with you because God’s banner over His children – over you and over me-is, was, and will always be love. And his love endures forever. (Psalm 136)