“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
Bible Verses About Loving Someone You Can’t Have
Understanding Unrequited Love
We all long for love, and when that love is not returned, it can be truly painful. The Bible recognizes the depth of our emotions, reminding us that unrequited feelings are part of our human experience. In these moments, it is essential for us to remember that our worth is defined by God’s love for us, not by someone else’s affections. God teaches us the importance of understanding our feelings while also guiding us to express love in a healthy way – even when it is challenging. Loving someone we can’t have is about accepting the situation and turning our hearts towards God. We can remind ourselves that love is also about compassion, support, and even extending kindness towards those we desire but cannot be with.
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.” – Romans 13:10
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” – Proverbs 10:12
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Finding Peace in Heartache
As we navigate love that cannot be, we often yearn for peace amidst the heartache. When we feel the weight of unreturned love, it’s critical for us to turn to God and seek solace in His promises. Peace comes not from receiving what we desire, but from the assurance that God cares about our hearts and understands our pain. We can find strength in the fact that God is always with us, offering love and comfort. Leaning on His understanding allows us to transform our sorrow into a deeper relationship with Him. Through prayers and seeking His presence, we may discover a tranquility that surpasses our understanding, allowing us to heal.
Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
The Importance of Self-Love
In loving someone we cannot have, we must not forget the crucial aspect of loving ourselves. Self-love is not selfish; rather, it allows us to honor the unique creation that we are in God’s image. When we nurture our own hearts, we become stronger, allowing us to love others well, even in the face of rejection. God emphasizes the idea of loving ourselves as He loves us. This includes showing kindness, accepting our flaws, and understanding the immense love that He has for us. By embracing self-love, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and healthier relationships in the future.
Mark 12:31
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14
Learning to Let Go
Letting go of someone we can’t have can be one of life’s most challenging struggles. We might cling to memories, dreams, or hopes of what could have been. Yet, God calls us to surrender our desires and trust in His perfect plan for our lives. It is a journey of faith in which we must learn to release our grip and allow God to guide our paths. Surrendering our unfulfilled desires leads to greater joy and peace as God often has something better in store for us. With each step of release, we learn more about His love and make space for new beginnings.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
Casting all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1
Faith in God’s Plans
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1
Having faith during times of unrequited love often serves to remind us that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. Our emotional pain can cloud our vision, making it difficult to grasp the blessings God has ahead. Loving someone we can’t have does not mean we should lose hope. Instead, we are called to trust that God knows what is best for us and has a divine plan. Delving into scripture can help us to find reassurance that God is ever-present and will guide us through our feelings. We can draw strength from His promises, reminding ourselves that His timing and plans are perfect.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Proverbs 16:9
“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Embracing God’s Love
Ultimately, loving someone we can’t have leads us back to the most important relationship we can have: our relationship with God. He loves us with an eternal and unwavering love that transcends all human feelings and situations. While we may desire companionship with others, remembering God’s love allows us to find profound contentment and fulfillment in Him alone. By embracing His love, we are able to grow, transform, and cultivate our character as we learn to love others better. God’s love provides a firm foundation, helping us through our struggles and shaping how we express love in our lives.
1 John 4:8
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Ephesians 3:18-19
“May have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:18-19
Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1
1 John 3:1
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the journey of loving someone we can’t have, we recognize that this experience is filled with emotional highs and lows. It is crucial for us to remember the lessons learned through unrequited love, which can lead to personal growth and a stronger connection with God. When we find ourselves lacking love or facing heartache, we can turn our eyes to God, embracing His everlasting love and comfort. By learning to let go and focusing on self-love, we can free ourselves from the chains of longing and open our hearts to divine guidance.
We invite everyone to take time in prayer, seeking God’s peace and wisdom as we embrace our worthiness in Christ. His plans for each of us are beautiful and filled with hope. Let’s hold onto faith, knowing there is a time for everything and that God has a purpose in every season of our lives. For those who desire to explore more about love and living according to biblical principles, we can look into Romans 12:9-18 and Philippians 4:6-8 for further encouragement.
Remember that loving someone we cannot have is just a phase in our spiritual growth. Real love from God is always available, and as we lean into that love, we are transformed.