(I wrote this short article back in 2012.)
So much has happened in the five years that have followed. Once I truly let the truth that I was worthy of love seep into every pore of my being, my life radically changed. It was not an overnight change. Looking back, 2012-2013 were the toughest years of my entire life. But 2014 until now have been my best years!
I did the work in renewing my mind. God, in his grace, allowed me to endure some pain and work through some false beliefs I held onto. Now I am free! I am living the life of my dreams! I love life! And I love myself! And I am free to love others deeply, so long as I am continually in God’s presence and allowing his love to fill up my cup to overflowing! This is what I was made for!
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God used my dear friend to speak some truths, once again, into this brain of mine. And like a needle about to inflict a shot, hearing these truths initially stung. However, the initial and minor wound was soon forgotten as the life-giving serum seeped into my mind’s figurative bloodstream. The prick that made me wince paved the way for the antidote that immediately began to counteract the poisonous lies that had inflicted my thinking for years.
This antidote that I’m referring to is the simple truth that I am lovable! Not only does God love me absolutely perfectly, but I must also love myself more. I must embrace the necessary changes that will produce a more healthy self. But I must also strive to see myself how the Lover of my soul sees me.
As I have grown to embrace this concept of God’s perfect love and have thus striven to love others well, I have oftentimes been negligent in loving myself well. And contrary to those who may deem this as selfish, it’s actually completely in line with what God wants. It’s a smack in God’s face if you don’t love yourself well! For God says you’re his perfect jewel and treasure. God even came in the form of a man named Jesus, and he died for you…in order that you might know and have a growing relationship with God! This is huge news!
If God loves me perfectly, then I most definitely ought to embrace myself! I should strive to become the very best me that I can. I am beautifully and wonderfully made. My Maker did not work in vain when he knit me together. He made me with intentionality and with purpose.
So I leave you, my Readers, with this challenge:
1.Ask God to help you embrace his overflowing and perfect love he has for you, which I believe requires a continually replenished trust in his character and goodness.
2. ask God to help you love yourself and see yourself through his perspective.
I firmly believe as I mature and embrace my God-given identity more fully, I will naturally overflow with more genuine love and acceptance toward those God sets in my path in life. I believe the same will be true for you.
I believe this is the means by which God’s going to change our world. It starts with us. It starts with me.
Love well.
