Here is the third in the five part series of notes on the book by Gary Chapman, "The Five Love Languages". You can see the first two in the archived section of the blog. See the reference to the right which lists the title and date of each section. I hope you are enjoying this study and are finding yourself and your friends and family in these descriptions. Be sure to keep their tank filled with actions that they interpret as love! M
#3 ~ Physical Touch
To touch one's body is to touch their heart.
God's word shows us how His love language incorporates Touch:
Exodus 33:22 "When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock
and cover you with my hand until I have passed by."
Matthew 8:3 "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said.
"Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy."
Matthew 9:21 "She said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.' "
Matthew 14:35-36 "they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him
and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed."
Matthew 20:34 "Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.
Immediately they received their sight and followed him."
Luke 18:15 "People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them."
The following are ways that physical touch can be received:
* physical touch is interpretted by the body through tactile receptors
Our brains interpret touch through impulses and we perceive that the thing that touched us is
warm, cold, hard or soft, whether it causes pain or pleasure and if it is loving or hostile
ie:the touch can be in the form of a hug, a pat on the back, a handshake, a kiss, a brief
touch as someone walks past, sitting close together, etc.
*to touch this person is to touch their heart; to withdraw from their body is to distance yourself emotionally
All societies have some form of physical touch as a means of greeting. Societal touch
communicates openess and social closeness. Be aware of what is appropriate; however.
*almost instinctively, in a time of crisis, we hug one another
physical touch is a powerful communicator of love
a tender touch in time of crisis will be long remembered;
failure to do so may never be forgotten
Individuals who are abused, neglected, or cheated on have a compounded negative effect.
*Babies who are held, hugged and kissed develop a healthier emotional life than those
left without physical contact for extended periods of time
Jesus took the little children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.
We need to hug our children, and each other!
PHYSICAL TOUCH IS IMPORTANT!
