The sole purpose of salvation is freedom, and it’s procured by love—Jesus’ love. Freedom doesn’t come easily, doesn’t come naturally, and takes a huge commitment on our part. Many situations we face in life end up being preparation for our need for freedom. What is this freedom? The freedom to love the unlovable, to love those who mistreat us, and to not live on the roller coaster of hurt feelings and offenses. When we decide that we’re going to love others—no matter how they behave, we’re set free of the expectations of reciprocated love. Love is not “I’ll love you if you love me,” but instead, love is “I’ll love you even if you never return that love.” It’s like having a semi-truck lifted off our chest when we’re set free from others' drama and love them like God loves us. It doesn’t excuse their behavior, or downplay their damage, but it does set us free. When we release them to the Father, the problems are between them and God, not us. 

Think this sounds crazy? Try it for a week. Dare to love like God loves us, and you’ll find peace you never knew existed.