Past Emails
Do you love yourself?
Scripture: Mark 12:31 (NIV)
"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
The Tale of the Honest Critic
David had a reputation in his community for being kind of a jerk. He often said, "I’m not a jerk; I’m just honest." His words, though truthful, were frequently harsh and left people feeling hurt and rejected. David believed he was doing everyone a favor by telling it like it was, but deep down, he felt a growing loneliness and an emptiness he couldn’t ignore.
One day, David's pastor approached him after a particularly harsh interaction with a colleague. The pastor shared Mark 12:31, "Love your neighbor as yourself." He explained that this commandment implied the necessity of self-love as a foundation for loving others. David was taken aback. He had never considered that his harshness might be rooted in how he viewed and treated himself.
David realized he often spoke to himself with the same harshness he directed at others. His inner dialogue was filled with self-hatred from past traumas. He realized that it was time to stop letting his past dictate his future and that he deserved to do the deep work of loving himself.
Embracing the Struggle
In our society, self-love is often disguised as getting your hair done, going out for drinks, or taking a vacation. While these activities might be right, they are usually superficial and temporary fixes. True self-love is found in day-to-day practices that nurture our body, mind, and spirit. Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, implying that self-love is a prerequisite for loving others.
Inner, Outer, and Above
Inner (Mental and Emotional Fitness): Loving yourself begins with your inner life. Reflect on your thoughts and emotions. Are you kind to yourself, or are you your harshest critic? Engage in practices that promote mental and emotional well-being, such as prayer, meditation, and journaling. Listen to uplifting music, spend time with God, and do the deep work of understanding your worth in Him. Speak to yourself with the same compassion and encouragement you offer to others. Recognize your worth and identity in Christ, and allow that to shape how you view and treat yourself.
Outer (Physical Fitness): Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and caring for them is an act of worship. Loving yourself means taking care of your physical health. This involves regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient rest. Exercise releases endorphins, which improve mood and reduce stress. Eating nutritious foods fuels your body and brain, giving you the energy to serve others. Day-to-day self-love includes exercising, eating well, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When you care for your body, you honor God and equip yourself to serve those around you better.
Above (Devotion to God): Devotion to God is the foundation of self-love. Spend time in worship, study scripture, and seek fellowship with other believers. Root your identity in God’s love and understand that you are valuable and cherished by Him. This divine love empowers you to love yourself and, in turn, love others. Let your relationship with God be the source of your self-worth and the wellspring of love that flows out to your neighbors.
Faith and Fitness
Loving yourself is essential to loving others effectively. Our faith teaches us that self-care is not selfish but necessary for a healthy and balanced life. Approach your health and fitness with the mindset that by caring for yourself, you are better prepared to fulfill the commandment to love your neighbor. Remember that exercise boosts your physical and mental well-being, and proper nutrition fuels your body for service. Self-love, grounded in God’s love, equips you to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the command to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to understand the importance of self-love and guide us in taking care of the bodies and souls You have given us. Fill us with Your love so that we can love ourselves and, in turn, love others more fully and effectively. Amen.
Do you love yourself?
Scripture: Mark 12:31 (NIV)
"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
The Tale of the Honest Critic
David had a reputation in his community for being kind of a jerk. He often said, "I’m not a jerk; I’m just honest." His words, though truthful, were frequently harsh and left people feeling hurt and rejected. David believed he was doing everyone a favor by telling it like it was, but deep down, he felt a growing loneliness and an emptiness he couldn’t ignore.
One day, David's pastor approached him after a particularly harsh interaction with a colleague. The pastor shared Mark 12:31, "Love your neighbor as yourself." He explained that this commandment implied the necessity of self-love as a foundation for loving others. David was taken aback. He had never considered that his harshness might be rooted in how he viewed and treated himself.
David realized he often spoke to himself with the same harshness he directed at others. His inner dialogue was filled with self-hatred from past traumas. He realized that it was time to stop letting his past dictate his future and that he deserved to do the deep work of loving himself.
Embracing the Struggle
In our society, self-love is often disguised as getting your hair done, going out for drinks, or taking a vacation. While these activities might be right, they are usually superficial and temporary fixes. True self-love is found in day-to-day practices that nurture our body, mind, and spirit. Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, implying that self-love is a prerequisite for loving others.
Inner, Outer, and Above
Inner (Mental and Emotional Fitness): Loving yourself begins with your inner life. Reflect on your thoughts and emotions. Are you kind to yourself, or are you your harshest critic? Engage in practices that promote mental and emotional well-being, such as prayer, meditation, and journaling. Listen to uplifting music, spend time with God, and do the deep work of understanding your worth in Him. Speak to yourself with the same compassion and encouragement you offer to others. Recognize your worth and identity in Christ, and allow that to shape how you view and treat yourself.
Outer (Physical Fitness): Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and caring for them is an act of worship. Loving yourself means taking care of your physical health. This involves regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient rest. Exercise releases endorphins, which improve mood and reduce stress. Eating nutritious foods fuels your body and brain, giving you the energy to serve others. Day-to-day self-love includes exercising, eating well, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When you care for your body, you honor God and equip yourself to serve those around you better.
Above (Devotion to God): Devotion to God is the foundation of self-love. Spend time in worship, study scripture, and seek fellowship with other believers. Root your identity in God’s love and understand that you are valuable and cherished by Him. This divine love empowers you to love yourself and, in turn, love others. Let your relationship with God be the source of your self-worth and the wellspring of love that flows out to your neighbors.
Faith and Fitness
Loving yourself is essential to loving others effectively. Our faith teaches us that self-care is not selfish but necessary for a healthy and balanced life. Approach your health and fitness with the mindset that by caring for yourself, you are better prepared to fulfill the commandment to love your neighbor. Remember that exercise boosts your physical and mental well-being, and proper nutrition fuels your body for service. Self-love, grounded in God’s love, equips you to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the command to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us to understand the importance of self-love and guide us in taking care of the bodies and souls You have given us. Fill us with Your love so that we can love ourselves and, in turn, love others more fully and effectively. Amen.