Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Physiology is the study of the functions of the human body. Paul describes our relationship with each other as the different parts of the body that are joined together and supported with the ligaments of love. Ligaments are a short band of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissue which connects two bones or cartilages or holds the joints together. The ‘function of love’ in our relationships is very similar to the ‘function of ligaments’ in our body. If ligaments become stiff, injured or sprained, it will cause immobility and excruciating pain.
When the ligament of love that is holding our relationships together is tightened, injured, sprained, love will be debilitated and would have to be rehabilitated. Even if one small ligament is hurt, painful or stiff, the whole body would be incapacitated. Similarly, if there is one wrong friendship or relationship that is remorseful, regretful or rusty, it will affect our emotional and spiritual health, holistically. Hence, the ligaments of love must be relaxed, flexible, vigorous, active and energetic to function effectively.
Three common damages and the spiritual remedies to the injured ligaments of love:
1. Tightness: The quick and easy remedy to tightness of ligaments is exercise. When love, kindness and goodness is abused, we tend to withdraw and become apprehensive with all our relationships. Once bitten, twice shy. However as lack of movement will tighten ligaments, lack of love will stiffen and strain relationships. When there is tension in a relationship, express your feelings lovingly and resolve the issue. “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4). Holding back hurt, insults or offences that have tightened the ligaments of love, can result in a long term or even permanent deformity to relationships.
2. Tears: The main causes for a torn ligament are twisting the body or awkward landing. Rashness, brashness, control, irrational judgements and edginess can cause twists and awkwardness to relationships. Angry, foolish and imprudent words spilt cannot be taken back. Sorry does not erase strikes in the memory of the other person. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20). Ligaments are fibrous and flexible, similarly, love must be soft and stretchable and not snappy to avoid tears in the ligament of love. .
3. Treatments: Ligaments naturally heal on their own with sufficient rest, compression and elevation. When the ‘ligament of love’ is hurt; rest and rejuvenate. Stop talking about the wrongdoing, misunderstandings or abuse to everyone. Share it with a trusted friend and put it to rest. Compress the wound with the Word of God. God’s word is the healing balm for heartache, headache and stomach-ache. Elevate the pain, anguish and throbbing soreness to the Lord and the healing stream from heaven will be poured out into our hearts, soul and ligaments.
The ligament of love needs regular exercise and tender care to hold and grow healthy relationships.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, let me never ignore the injured ligament of love. Help love to surge forgiveness and heal the soreness of my heart. Amen
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