Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wednesday’s Devotion: Why Can’t We Love Ourselves?

1 John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

Do you ever look in the mirror and just not like yourself?  It might not be anything you can put your finger on.  Or maybe it is a general sense of low self worth.  If so, you’re not alone.  Many people feel the same way.  I’ve heard the question asked, “If God loves me so much, why can’t I love myself?”  Scripture says “God so loved the world.”  God may not love the way we are but he loves us in spite of the way we are.  We have a lot of worth in God’s eyes.  We are valuable to God as His children. 

I know of one little boy who was down after having a falling out with his friend.  His mom trying to comfort him said, “You know how much I love you.”  He responded, “But you’re my mom, you’re supposed to love me.”  It’s God’s nature to love us; family members are supposed to love us but that often leaves us wanting someone beyond our family to love us because we are special to them not because they have to love us.  Even while we seek that, if we don’t have it now, we still need to find the good qualities within ourselves that we can appreciate.  Jesus was the only perfect person; the lamb without blemish.

There’s an exercise technique that focuses on getting the head and neck in the right alignment with the belief that when this happens the rest of the body will follow.  When we make Christ the head of our life and focus on our strengths using them for His glory, the rest of our attributes will soon follow.  That’s how I see it.

Gracious God, you told us to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Help us to love ourselves more so that we can likewise love others.  Show us our worth, yet keep us humble.  Restore your image in us.  We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings,
Paige

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