Real Strength Is Built on Love

Has anyone ever told you to “man up”?

Maybe it was your dad when you tried something new. Maybe your buddies said it on a golf trip or over wings. Or maybe your wife said it during one of those “do better” conversations we all know too well.

But what does “manning up” really mean?

This past week, we came across a devotion in the YouVersion Bible app titled Five Stones by Stefan Lotter. It brought us back to the story of David and Goliath—a young man who stepped up when others shrank back.

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag, with his sling in his hand, and approached the Philistine.”—1 Samuel 17:40

David didn’t just walk into battle with bold words—he acted in faith. And while it only took one stone to take down Goliath, he brought five. The author of the devotion used those five stones to represent five ways we can "man up" spiritually:

• Be Courageous

• Be Strong

• Be on Guard

• Be Faithful

• Love

The last one stopped us in our tracks. Love.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Matthew 22:37–39

Let’s be honest. Love doesn’t always come easily when we’re trying to be strong. Sometimes it’s way easier to muscle through with grit than to lead with love. But love is the why behind our strength. It’s what fuels us to show up for our families, our friends, and even those people who are hard to love (you’ve got someone in mind, don’t you?).

So here’s the question: Where is God asking you to “man up” right now?

Is it a relationship? A habit that needs to shift?A conversation that needs to happen?A moment where patience is harder than action?

Whatever it is, you’re not alone in it.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.”—1 Thessalonians 5:11

We’ve seen firsthand how you guys show up with love and strength. Just this past week, your generosity helped us deliver nearly 50 backpacks and a ton of school supplies to support 18 families through Hope Community. That’s what manning up looks like when it’s fueled by love. Thank you.

Let’s end with one of our favorite reminders:

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”—1 Corinthians 16:13–14

Let’s step up. Let’s love well. Let’s keep building each other up.