In a previous book, author Gary Chapman focused on five “love languages”, laying out the concept that people respond to others relationally based on five primary ways love is given and received: affirming words, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. If we learn to “speak” the other person’s love language, and vice versa, things may go great. However, if we do not, then the relationship may not go well at all.
Chapman assumed that if people understood and learned how to speak the correct language to those around them, they would do so all the time. However, what he found was that people were not necessarily eager to speak the correct language because it might be contrary to their natural tendencies.
Before penning Love as a Way of Life, the author spent time studying and surveying, and realized that oftentimes people fail to love others properly because there is no foundation of real love.
“Love is not an emotion that comes over us or an elusive goal dependent on the actions of others. Authentic love is something within our capabilities, originating in our attitudes and culminating in our actions. If we think of love as a feeling, we shall be frustrated when we can’t always work up that feeling. When we realize love is primarily an action, we are ready to use the tools we have to love better.” (pg. 6)
Chapman identifies seven traits of a loving person and proceeds to devote a chapter to each of them. The “quiz” for personal assessment at the beginning of each chapter, definitions, and the down-to-earth examples throughout the book lead the reader to introspective reading. Recognizing self-centered love and turning from that to habitually loving others unselfishly is the goal.
This new hardback from WaterBrook Press, Love as a Way of Life, can be purchased here.
I also have two* copies to give away.
*now one
