trbccoffeebreak

“If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.” James 2:8 (KJV)

Loving ourselves as well as our neighbor – sounds great but how can we love others if we don’t love ourselves? I am not talking about being conceited or having a big ego, but rather a healthy love for ourselves. Love starts with a relationship with God, and then believing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Seeing our weaknesses and strengths through His eyes of mercy, we will be encouraged to change the things that we can and accept the things we cannot change. Embracing  our talents and giftings with a  thankful heart will cause us to celebrate what God has given us. Rather than being hard on ourselves and rigid, we should allow ourselves to try again if we make mistakes.  Resisting a tendency toward condemnation, we should be patient and gentle. If for example, we are dealing with an area of weakness in our life, are we getting frustrated or are we praying about the matter? Are we having loving thoughts towards ourselves? Are we taking the time to treat ourselves to things we like to do? Are we taking the time out to take care of ourselves? Are we giving everyone else advice and not taking our own advice? Are we nourishing ourselves with the Word of God? If we cannot love ourselves, neither can we love others. Where do you stand with God? He says if we love Him, we will obey his commandments. When we love God then we can love ourselves and truly love others.

“Father, Help me to love You the way I should. As I fall in love with You, may I love myself with a healthy love and love others with the love of God.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend