You have to love yourself to love others.
But loving yourself doesn’t mean getting what you want, when you want it. It doesn’t mean protecting your heart. Loving yourself doesn’t give you permission to hurt others on your way to the top.
It means seeing what God sees. He knows the deepest part of our hearts.
He knows that sometimes I think I’m pretty awesome. Sometimes I’m in love with my defiance and feel I deserve to act that way. Some days I believe I’ve earned every good thing in my life. Sometimes I’m tired of everyone and everything that get in the way of my dreams. Sometimes my way is the best way!!
Other times I doubt my dreams, my gifts and my passion. I don’t like myself at all and I hate the way I act (Paul felt the same way – Romans 7). I’m worried and impatient and undisciplined. Some days I’m like a little girl hiding under the covers because of a storm.
In my best moments, though, I believe every word God says about me. I feel beautiful because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I know I am His workmanship and He has plans for me (Ephesians 2:10). I understand that every good thing in my life is because of Him. I soak in His love and appreciate His discipline and I love the Truth.
When I love myself, I see what God sees. Flawed and beautiful, broken and whole, wicked and sanctified, fearful and victorious.
God sees it all……every glorious and depraved thing about me…..and He uses it all.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.
1 Corinthians 15:10a
Jesus loves me…this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Happy Valentine’s Day to YOU!!
beauti full… thats what you are! Love ya