Healthily loving self puts an intense desire inside of us to completely fulfill God’s purpose for life as it relates to the advancement of His kingdom. It gives us the perspective of God for our lives, allows Him to define who we are, and shows us how we fit into His Body as His gift of grace to those around us. In this way, loving self is a completely selfless concept!
When self love is in proper perspective, we have no problem treating others as we would want to be treated or as God would direct us to treat them. Jealousy and dissension are done away with because we know our part in God’s kingdom and we love others into their kingdom work by encouraging and advancing them. However, if we despise ourselves we become self abusive, and in turn abuse others.
Loving self means you see yourself through God’s eyes instead of the eyes of the world or the eyes of those who condemn or the voice that says you are worthless. This enables you to put aside wrong feelings and ideas about yourself, in effect breaking down barriers to becoming an instrument of God’s love and grace. Knowing you are created in God's image should impress your heart with love for His creation - including yourself.
We should have no fear of over-loving self because true love has perfect boundaries. The person who exalts self will have left love long before self exaltation and pride have set in. This concept of love is worldly and brings confusion to God’s people; but God’s love inspires us to exalt others over self and do good to those who harm us.
“You shall love the Lord your God with your whole being: mind, body, thoughts, strength and actions. And you shall love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Mark 12:30-31 paraphrased).
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