Loving Yourself!

It’s actually okay to love yourself. No, we are not talking about the love where all you do is think about yourself. Neither are we talking about being narcissistic, vain or prideful, but rather the type of love that you have when you regard your own well-being, happiness and accept who Christ has made you to be. This is the kind of love that you can extend to others.

Loving yourself is something that should be instilled in women from when they are young, however many women miss this and go into woman-hood struggling to find their self worth, value and sense of happiness.

You can only love another person as much as you love yourself.

What does this mean?

Take *Becky* for instance. She has grown up hating herself, from the way she looks to where she is in life. *Becky* does not know her self-worth. The way she feels about herself leads to her feeling depressed and insecure. The way *Becky* feels about herself is projected onto the people she meets. Because she does not love herself this impacts on how she sees and treats others. She is overcome with bitterness, envy and anger towards people.

You would be surprised how many young girls/women are like *Becky*.

“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

~ Matthew 22:39 ~

Judging from this scripture, Jesus is making the assumption that we already love ourselves. Loving ourselves in this regard is not a bad thing.

Created in His image:

God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27). When we begin to hate ourselves, we are basically saying that the way God created us is not good enough or that God got it wrong.

We need to begin by seeing ourselves as God sees us. Yes we sin and fall short of the glory of God daily but God washes us clean.

“And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

~ I Corinthians 6:11 ~

Loving yourself is one of the best gifts that you could ever give yourself. If you don’t love yourself, there isn’t much left to give others and this will result in you becoming an ineffective Christian.

Here are some steps to help you to love yourself:

1. Begin by valuing yourself.

“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you;

~ Isaiah 43:4 ~

Jesus loves you and places such a value on your life. So much so that the very hairs on your head are numbered. You do not have to worry because God has got you in every way. The Bible says that you are of more value than the sparrows who He takes care of very well. How much more will He take care of you(Matthew 10:30-31).

2. Accept who you are.

When you accept yourself for who you are, you begin to accept your weaknesses as well as your strengths. Paul also acknowledged this.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 ~

There will be times when you mess up. This is where you will need to accept yourself through the redemption of Christ Jesus and remember that it is because of Him that you are accepted not because of yourself.

“being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

~ Romans 3:24 ~

3. Embrace your uniqueness.

“My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”

~ Psalms 139:15 ~

You are you, and nobody can take that away. This is what makes you unique. The fact that you were “skillfully” made by God is something you can appreciate. When you embrace your uniqueness you will then begin to understand God’s plan for your life and will allow God to use you according to His will and purpose.

4. Take care of yourself.

“For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.”

~ Ephesians 5:29 ~

Your basic care is very important and is more than just taking care of yourself physically. You must also take care of yourself mentally and spiritually too.

Every time you look at yourself negatively and think you are not good enough, you are denying that God made you fearfully and wonderfully, (Psalms 139:14) so start working on loving yourself today.

Stay Blessed and Encouraged.

Nkay

xoxo