4 Ways to Love the People in Your Life on Purpose - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - March 09, 2026

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins”—1 Peter 4:8

Have you ever gone through a life-and-death experience with someone where you thought you might lose them? If so, you know some of the thoughts and feelings experienced at the possibility of losing them on earth.

In the “Lyin’ Hearted,” episode of the classic television series “The King of Queens,” starring Kevin James and Leah Remini, her character, Carrie, is furious with her father, Arthur Spooner, played by Jerry Stiller, who is in the hospital for heart surgery, after she discovers he hid things from her in the past that could have changed the course of her life for the better.

Vowing never to forgive him, it all changes when his heart monitor goes flat, causing Carrie to think she’s losing him. At that moment, she realizes how much she loves him and chooses to forgive him for his past selfish deeds. 

Like Carrie’s character, often, when faced with the possibility of losing someone we love, our true love and care for them comes to the forefront, pushing through all other emotions, setting aside anger, disappointments, disagreements, and offenses that may have caused us to lose sight of how much they truly mean to us.

As Philippians 2:3-4 urges, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Love Before It’s Too Late

Sadly, too many people realize too late, after the loss of a loved one, how much they loved and cared for them, how they could have spent more time with them, done more for them, and loved and cared for them on a deeper level.

The only way to avoid these feelings is to commit to doing all the above now, on purpose, with those we love and treasure.

Jesus explained in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

As well, the Apostle Paul encouraged us in Romans 12:10, to “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

When we do, we won’t face the regret that so many do after their loved ones pass away.

4 Ways to Love on Purpose

The following are four ways to start loving each other on purpose every day.

1. Pray each day for those we love by name. Spend time bringing their needs, cares, and concerns before our heavenly Father. It’s time we won’t ever regret spending, praying for the ones we love the most.

As Colossians 4:2 encourages, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

2. Express our care and love to them each day, week, or month. Along with praying for our loved ones, let them know we’re praying for them by sending a card, an email, a text, or a phone call. Knowing others are praying for them is a wonderful way to love them on purpose.

As 1 Peter 3:8 instructs, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

3. Reach out in loving ways. Whether it’s sending a gift we know they’ve wanted or will enjoy, giving them a constant reminder that they are loved, taking them out for a meal or coffee, or running errands for them, reaching out goes a long way in expressing our love to others.

When we do, we are fulfilling what 1 Corinthians 10:24 urges, “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”

4. Spend as much time as possible with them. Whether it’s talking on the phone daily or weekly, stopping by for in-person visits, or taking vacations together, make time for them. Maybe it’s as simple as playing live video games together via the internet. 

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Spending as much time as possible with those we love benefits us and expresses love in a way that says, “I love you.” 

Let’s Pray:

Dear Father, help us to love each other every day, on purpose, and to express our love and care to those who are dear to us by praying for them, expressing our love to them, reaching out to them in loving ways, and spending as much time as possible with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/fizkes

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.

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