"We lived in malice and hating one another." Titus 3:3
One of the assignments in our bible study this week, was to describe a present challenge to love someone that's hard to love. I had my list ready, with my landlord top of the list. My friend had one simple answer. She said that the person that she finds hardest to love is, herself. How beautifully honest! Self-Love. It's estimated that 30 million Americans were raised in alcoholic homes. That doesn't include other forms of dysfunction and abuse. When in a dysfunctional situation one thing that happens, is the loss of self. The person needs to abandon him/herself and focus on others, in order to survive. Most people raised in dysfunction, become addicted to fear, codependent, people-pleasers, addicts. Unfortunately, on top of that, certain religions teach that self love is selfish, that others need to come first and that we almost need to despise ourselves in order to serve others and God correctly.
It's sad to think that there are people trying to love others while they hate themselves. People running fast to help others, because they can't stand to be alone with themselves. I believe self-love is essential. "Love your neighbor as yourself."Mark 12:31. "Do to others as you would have them do to you. "Luke 6:31. There are many aspects of self- love. I find that the most important action towards self-love, is taking the time to connect with our God, our Creator, our Father. That's where healing, protection, creativity , guidance come from. It's the foundation for everything. "For without me you can do nothing" John 15:5.
The other day, as I was browsing through youtube, I came across a sermon that got me thinking. The pastor, asked one question…
"You love and believe in God. I know you do! But how many of you love and believe in yourselves?"
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. " Romans 5:5
Lord, we open our hearts to your divine love. Heal us, teach us, and lead us into loving You, ourselves and our brothers and sisters the right way!
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