Does Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend Really Care for You?

Many young couples struggle with insecurity, asking themselves whether the other person really likes them or is just playing around. Just like the true love of long-time partners, the couple must feel for each other in thought, word, and deed. Of course, the level of commitment is vastly different in the mature couple, but we can still learn about positive, encouraging behavior even from a simple example. What does it mean to love in thought, word, and deed? There are a few signs that you can look for to see if this true type of relationship is developing, or to test whether your long-term partner is really committed to the relationship.

1. Loving or Caring for Someone in Thought

This sentence implies that the person thinks about your welfare and your happiness. He or she will not do anything to purposely hurt you. That may seem obvious to you but it can also be demonstrated by some nuances in behavior. When you are with friends, for example, will that person always stick up for you? Will he or she ensure that nobody does anything to tear down your confidence or show you disrespect? Let me give you a simple example. Bob and Jennifer went out with friends to go skating. Bob had never skated before and was stumbling around and falling all over the place. Jennifer was proud, however, of the effort that Bob was giving to the afternoon. Despite difficulties with the activity, and laughs from onlookers, he kept at it. Jen, a good skater, thought to herself, “Bob is really showing strong character and determination today, I think I like him.” Here, we see that she liked him “in thought.” Of course, we are not mind readers so how would he know.

2. Loving or Caring for Someone in Word

What do we mean by loving in Word? There is more to the expression than saying “I love you.”

Let’s continue with the story.
Later that evening while Bob was driving Jen home she said to him, “Bob, I was really proud of the way that you skated today. You had never skated before, but you kept at it. Thank you.” Bob proceeded to give Jen the biggest smile of his life. He felt built up, and confident.

3. Loving or Caring for Someone in Deed

Jen, seeing the positive reaction her comment had on Bob, was overwhelmed with affection and emotion. Then, without giving it a second thought, she leaned over in the car and gave Bob a gentle kiss on the cheek. Finally, Bob said “thank you Jen, what a wonderful complement and day,” affirming and receiving the act of love.

We see in this simple example, that the thought of respect, gave way to words of affection, followed by a deed of action; the innocent kiss. Jen expressed love to Bob in thought, word, and deed and it was received gladly.

Other simple examples from everyday life could be, does your partner wish you a pleasant and successful business trip? Is there a telephone call to you when you return to ask how it went? Does your partner wish you good luck on an important exam and follow this up afterwards in asking you about it? The examples are endless and the signs are always there.

Many in a young and even a not so young relationship, struggle with the question about the sincerity of their partner. An easy way to find the answer to this question is to examine whether your partner, regardless of the level, demonstrates love in thought, word, and deed.

Remember, “Life and Death are in the Power of the Tongue.”
Proverbs 18:21