Love Yourself as He Loves You

In today's hectic world, self-love and self-care for our body and mind often take a back seat. Women, in particular, seem to struggle with prioritizing their own needs, letting it take a back seat to taking care of their family's needs instead. Many of us feel guilty about prioritizing our needs, thinking it’s selfish. However, this perspective overlooks the wisdom found in scriptures and teachings. They highlight the importance of self-love and caring for our well-being. This post uncovers what God has to say about these essential life aspects, revealing how nurturing ourselves is fundamental to our spiritual journey, as well as to our health journey.

The Foundation of Self-Love

Self-love starts with recognizing our inherent value as God's creations. We are not random occurrences but purposeful beings. A verse that beautifully conveys this notion is Psalm 139:14:

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

This is a favorite passage of mine that reminds us of the beauty in being ourselves. Acknowledging our worth helps us to silence negative self-talk, allowing a more supportive inner dialogue to form in its place.

Self-affirmations are an effective way to combat negative feelings about ourselves. So effective that teachers are using this tool to help build confidence in kids. When I worked in first-grade last year, my classroom teacher taught the Power of Yet - I may not know how to do this YET, but I am learning and trying and will understand it. As in the words of Stuart Smalley of Saturday Night Live fame, "I am good enough, I am smart enough, and doggone it people like me."

In Philippians 4:8, it is written:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

If you are having a hard time finding something positive to say about yourself, practice praising the One who is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and excellent. He will fill your mind with the ways you are special, unique, gifted and deserving of your own love as He loves you.

The Importance of Caring for the Body

Caring for our bodies goes beyond fitness trends—it's an outright command. The Bible describes our bodies as temples. Take, for example, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Seeing our bodies as sacred temples influences how we treat them. If you're a sacred temple, what would change about how you take care of your body? (As I write this, I immediately straightened up, relaxed my shoulders, and adjusted my keyboard so I had correct posture.) We may consider adopting habits that align with this whole "body as a temple" belief. Eating nutritious foods, participating in regular exercise and giving our bodies needed rest are vital steps toward honoring our bodies and, in turn, honoring God.

Nurturing the Mind

Just as we care for our bodies, it’s essential to nurture our minds. Mental health is a core component of our overall well-being and science is finally catching up to what the Bible has always taught about mental health. Our well-being is closely tied to our relationship with God. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us with these words:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Mindfulness is a buzz word these days and originates from Buddhist practices, but that doesn't mean it's not a part of Christian practices. This passage highlights prayer and gratitude as powerful tools for mental wellness. When faced with anxiety, uncertainty, rejection, distrust - in every situation - turning to God can provide peace and clarity.

How many times have you read this verse and missed "...which transcends all understanding"? We can't explain how God provides peace among the chaos because it's something we experience supernaturally, not something we can tangibly grasp or understand or achieve on our own.

It is Jesus guarding our hearts and minds, which is done by following 1 Thessalonians 5:17:

"Pray continuously"

We can be praying, talking to God, all day long! There are times where we need to be in prayerful meditation, bowing our heads and getting on our knees in prayer and petition. Then, there's the rest of the day, where we need to be aware of God's presence and noticing Him in the everyday - in the beauty of a single flower, your children's eyes, the sunlight, things that make you laugh, a puppy's wagging tail - and that will change your outlook and your mind on a lot of things.

Self-Love versus Self-Centeredness

Self-love is not synonymous with selfishness. By taking the time to care for ourselves, we enhance our abilities to love and serve others. Mark 12:30-31 states:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

This verse affirms that loving ourselves is just as important as loving others. By prioritizing our well-being, we position ourselves to offer genuine support and compassion to those around us.

And, what an example we have in Jesus, who was rejected by the people he was sent to save, and still is today, yet still asked the Father to forgive those who were persecuting him while he hung on the cross. When we focus on loving God first with everything we've got, then on loving ourselves next, on self-care, it becomes easier to extend love and understanding to others, creating a more compassionate person and, in turn, a more compassionate community.

Practical Steps Towards Self-Love

To cultivate self-love and care for your body and mind, consider integrating the following practices into your daily routine:

1. Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate meditation or prayer into your day. Even a brief 5 to 10 minutes can significantly lower stress levels and improve your clarity.

   
   

2. Gratitude Journaling: Spend a few minutes daily writing down what you appreciate about yourself and your life. This practice helps shift your focus from negativity to positivity.

   
   

3. Healthy Eating: Nourish your body with whole, nutrient-rich foods. Cooking healthy meals can also be a creative outlet

   
   

4. .Physical Activity: Find enjoyable exercises, whether it's walking, swimming, or dancing. Make movement a fun part of your daily life and feel the energy boost that follows.

   
   

5. Connect with Others: Build relationships that uplift you. Surrounding yourself with positive influences fosters a culture of self-love.

   
   

6. Help Others: This can get the focus off of ourselves to experience the joy and positivity of doing something for others and not expecting anything in return.

   
   

Every step you take towards self-love contributes to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Remember, self-love isn't a final destination; it’s a continuous journey.

Embracing God's Teachings

Understanding God’s message on self-love and caring for our mind and body sheds light on the path we should follow. By recognizing our inherent worth, nurturing ourselves, and balancing self-care with altruism, we align ourselves with teachings promoting overall well-being.

Self-love is not a luxury; it is essential for living a fulfilling life. It equips us to serve God and those around us. As you reflect on these principles, may you find yourself growing closer to your true self, to God, and to your family, neighbors and community.

Take time to embrace self-love. Join the 6-week online course I've created to build your self-love - 6 Practices to Fuel Self-Love for Thriving and Well-Being. Weekly emails include a short lesson with an action step to practice throughout the week with each week building on the next. It all starts on June 13th, so Register now!