Loving Yourself

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1


Do you like yourself? I have come to understand that most people really don’t like themselves. Some of them know it, while others don’t even have a clue. This self-loathing is the root of so many other problems in their lives. God wants us to have great relationships, but self-rejection and even self-hatred are the roots of many relationship problems. In fact, God's Word is a book about relationships, providing valuable advice about my relationship with God, other people and even myself.

How are the relationships with other people in your life? What about your relationship with God…and even with yourself?

Did it ever occur to you that you have a relationship with yourself? While I’ve never given it much thought, I spend more time with myself than with anyone, and it’s vital to get along well with me. Remember, you are the one person you can never get away from.

We all know how agonizing it is to work day after day with someone we don’t get along with, but at least that person does not come home with us at night. We can’t get away from ourselves, not even for one second, so it’s of the utmost importance that we have peace with ourselves.

Many of us fall prey to self-rejection because we feel that nobody really loves us or accepts us. We figure that if nobody else loves us, then why should we love ourselves? Because we think others don’t love us, we feel that we must not be worth loving. But that’s a lie from the enemy we have believed for way too long!

We should love ourselves—not in a selfish, self-centered way that produces a lifestyle of self-indulgence, but in a balanced way that affirms us as God's creation. We have all endured unfortunate experiences, but these experiences should not define us.

I know God loves me, so how can I not love what He loves? I don’t always love what I do, but I must use this in a positive, constructive way. I must develop the kind of mature love that knows that I must make changes that will please Him.

Many times people who reject themselves because they fail to see themselves the way God sees them—as His children whom He loves with all His heart. Begin to see yourself through God’s eyes, and your view of yourself will begin to change. You’ll begin to see yourself as unique and beautiful in His eyes!

Father, Thank You for loving me! Teach me to see myself as You see me, worthy and valuable as one of Your children. Help me to show others how to love and respect themselves, and to love You as their Abba Father. Thank You for the gift of salvation through Your Son, the ultimate love gift to us. We praise You! In Jesus' Name~ Amen