Find True Love - What Does True Love Look Like?

Finding True Love: What Is True Love?

There are different types of love:

Agape -- unconditional love, God for mankind
Philia -- Philiadepia, the city of brotherly love, or love that exists between close friends.
Storge -- Love that grows between family members.
Eros -- sexual, erotic love

Source: wiki.answers.com

In today's modern culture, romantic love is usually based on Eros, which is the most immediate and lowest form. Philos grows over time, although sometimes two people can meet and feel like they have known each other forever. Agape, between people, is revealed over time by enjoying the good times and weathering the storms. Agape is where character is also revealed. This one is truly a gift from God. An example of Storge could be where we would die for one another as for a beloved brother or child. For marriage, ideally there will be a mix of all.

So what is love?

It is written:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 8

So then, what does true love look like?

Love is patient. So be patient with each other. None of us are perfect and we are all different.

It is not boastful. So be humble. Acknowledge that there are always others in your life who do make a difference in yours. None of us are an island.

Love is kind. At all times, choose to be kind. If your partner does something stupid, how about not mention it?

It does not envy. Rejoice in your partner's successes. Be encouraging. Also weep when they are weeping. Not every situation requires a solution.

It is not proud. Arrogance is not love.

Love always trusts. Even if you have doubt, choose to trust. If later, you are wrong, what is the worst that can happen?

Love always hopes. Choose to hope.

Are you seeing the common theme? Love is a choice!

Cathy J Elliss is a writer, speaker, consultant and trainer. She is passionate about personal development and helping single women find their true love. Check out her site http://www.SmartLadyDating.com - don't forget to get her free eBook 'Find True Love'