In today's society, the concept of love has become so twisted by social media that many of us don't understand what genuine love in a relationship really looks like, and we start to think that toxic relationships are normal and healthy.
The qualities of love are spelled out in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, but we have a tendency to overlook this by depending on technology and social media to tell us how our relationships should work.
Love is patient. Life gets busy, and the everyday chaos adds up quick, so if your partner doesn't respond to your texts immediately, be patient and remember that your significant other is probably focusing on something more important.
Love is kind. We've become so accustomed to hearing and speaking hateful words because they're plastered on our phone screens every day through our constant interaction with social media, but we fail to realize that these negative words tear down a healthy relationship. Remember to always control your tongue and speak kindly.
Love does not envy. If you look on Instagram for more than 5 minutes, you'll see a couple that appears happier than you and your partner, so you become envious of what it appears this couple has that you don't. Social media can be pretty deceiving, and just because a couple looks happy in their overly-edited picture, doesn't mean they genuinely are. Instead of envying the relationships of those around you, be thankful for your own relationship.
Love does not boast. Social media is basically a platform for bragging, so it's tempting to search for things that make you and your partner "better" than the couples you know, but going out of your way to brag about how great your relationship is over social media does nothing but place negative thoughts in your head.
Love does not dishonor others. When you're angry, don't use social media as an outlet to embarrass or hurt your partner. Your anger will eventually disappear, but what you post out of anger will be there forever.
Love is not easily angered. It's easy to get frustrated when your partner avoids responding to your Snapchat, gets on Instagram first thing in the morning instead of texting you, or simply leaves you out of a profile picture, but if you take a step back, you'll realize that a lot of the things that make you mad are pretty silly. If you choose to get angry over every little thing, you and your partner will always have something to argue about.
It's no secret that technology can lead to a toxic relationship based off of irrational demands and immature thoughts, so if you want a healthy relationship, try and steer clear of social media.
