Based on the writings of Ellen White, here is guidance on cultivating genuine love for others, overcoming the feeling of being burdened by those in need, and embracing everyone.
### 1. The Nature of Genuine Love for Others
Genuine love is presented not as a mere feeling, but as a divine principle that originates from a heart connected with Christ. It is an active, unselfish love that mirrors the love of God for humanity.
* **Love is the Foundation**: "Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother" (
COL 384.2).
* **It Springs from Christ**: True love is not something we can generate on our own. "When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within" (
COL 384.2).
* **The Divine Credential**: This love is the primary evidence of true discipleship. "Love for God and for one another constitutes the divine credentials which the children of God bear to the world. 'By this,' said Jesus, 'shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another'" (
HS 214.1).
* **A Broad and Deepening Love**: Our love should not be confined to a small circle. "When we come into close union and fellowship with Christ, our love and sympathy and our works of benevolence will reach down deeper and will widen and strengthen with exercise. The love and interest of Christ's followers must be as broad as the world" (
3T 529.2).
### 2. How to Overcome Feeling Burdened by Those in Need
The feeling of being burdened often comes from focusing on our own sacrifices or the faults of others. The solution is to shift our focus to Christ's love for us and to understand the blessings that come from service.
* **Focus on Christ's Love for You**: "If we keep uppermost in our minds the unkind and unjust acts of others we shall find it impossible to love them as Christ has loved us; but if our thoughts dwell upon the wondrous love and pity of Christ for us, the same spirit will flow out to others" (
SC 121.1). When we are filled with gratitude for His sacrifice, serving others becomes a natural expression of that gratitude rather than a burden.
* **Recognize the Blessing in Service**: Unselfish service is a source of great personal growth and joy. "This service, while making us a blessing to others, brings the greatest blessing to ourselves. Unselfishness underlies all true development. Through unselfish service we receive the highest culture of every faculty" (
Ed 16.2).
* **Cooperate with God**: Viewing service as a partnership with God transforms the experience. "All who surrender themselves to God in unselfish service for humanity are in co-operation with the Lord of glory. This thought sweetens all toil, it braces the will, it nerves the spirit for whatever may befall" (
6T 305.4).
* **Use Wisdom and Practicality**: We are counseled to be wise in our efforts to help. Giving indiscriminately can "encourage idleness, helplessness, extravagance, and intemperance" (
6T 277.4). The goal is to provide the "right kind of help," teaching people to help themselves where possible. This prevents burnout and ensures that our efforts are truly effective.
### 3. How to Embrace Everyone
Embracing everyone requires humility, patience, and a willingness to move beyond our natural selfishness. It is an active, intentional choice to see and care for others as God does.
* **Love in Spite of Faults**: We are called to love people as they are, imperfections included. "We should love and respect one another, notwithstanding the faults and imperfections that we cannot help seeing. Humility and self-distrust should be cultivated, and a patient tenderness with the faults of others. This will kill out all narrowing selfishness and make us large-hearted and generous" (
SC 121.1).
* **Practice Active Benevolence**: Love must be demonstrated through actions. "The poor cannot keep comfortable on good wishes alone. They must have tangible proofs of your kindness in food and clothing... Do not wait for them to call your attention to their needs. Act as did Job. The thing that he knew not he searched out. Go on an inspecting tour and learn what is needed and how it can be best supplied" (
5T 151.1).
* **Embrace Self-Denial**: True benevolence is impossible without sacrifice. "No one can practice real benevolence without self-denial. Only by a life of simplicity, self-denial, and close economy is it possible for us to accomplish the work appointed us as Christ's representatives. Pride and worldly ambition must be put out of our hearts" (
MH 206.3).
* **Minister to All Needs**: We are to care for the whole person. "They should pray for the sick and should do all in their power to relieve them from suffering. They should work among the lowly, the poor, and the oppressed... Many can be reached only through acts of disinterested kindness. Their physical wants must first be relieved. As they see evidence of our unselfish love, it will be easier for them to believe in the love of Christ" (
6T 83.4).