As a Christian woman, I’m not a proponent of the whole love yourself movement. The Bible talks about loving God first, and loving my neighbor as myself. (Matthew 22:37-39)
But let’s look at what true love is? We just celebrated Valentine’s day. According to the world, love is all about what we can get from another person. It’s based on pride, lust, and self-worship.
True love- (God is Love), is based on sacrifice and seeking another person’s needs above my own. (1 Corinthians 13)
But can we love ourselves – by loving who God says we are in Him? This type of love is based on humility, contentment and thankfulness. It’s a form of self-love that looks face to face with my Creator, and praises Him for creating me the way I am today. Praising Him for my gifts and flaws alike.
Oh, I like my gifts. I feel good when I can accomplish things and succeed. But what about when I fall short? When I fail? When I don’t like that extra fat around my mid-section? Can I look at Christ boldly and love myself today? God is good and perfect and never makes a mistake. By acknowledging His work in my life today, and loving myself today (hopelessly flawed) is a form of worship (in my opinion).
I’m loving the new show This Is Us. I wasn’t sure if I would after the first episode, but I am so glad I gave it another chance. It cuts right to the heart of deep life stuff! I cry multiple times during each episode. It has a way of drawing out all the emotions! ALL THE EMOTIONS. Thanks for my weekly therapy sessions!
Chrissy Metz’s character Kate struggles with being overweight. Just today, she said on a television talk show:
You have to love yourself now, to get to the place you want to be.
I thought that was a profound statement. Now, it may come from a worldly mindset, I’m not totally sure. But could we look at it from a biblical standpoint?
Whatever your struggle is today (because you and I have them), could we honestly look Jesus in the face and tell Him we love who He has made us to be today? Let’s talk specifics…
I’m on a weight-loss journey again. This time I’m doing it the right way. I’ve joined a gym and I’m eating healthy. I’m learning to “love myself” today before I can get to where I want to be “tomorrow”. I’d much rather lose 50 pounds overnight. But I’m trying not to rush this process in my mind. I’m looking at who Jesus has made me to be (with those extra pounds) and learning to find contentment in the journey. If I don’t love the me that looks into the mirror today, how will I recognize the me that achieves my goal of being 50 pounds lighter? Do you see what I’m saying?
Anywayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyssss….
I’m not sure if I’m totally accurate, but that quote certainly hit me when she said those words. I’m going to ponder and study the scriptures further on this topic.
I’d love to know your thoughts?
More verses on this topic:
Psalm 139:14
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
Proverbs 19:8
Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.
Ephesians 5:28-30
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body.
