“. . .Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matthew 22:39
For many of us, loving ourselves doesn’t come as easily as loving the people around us—but finding peace and love in yourself is just as important as loving others. If you feel incapable of celebrating your own worth, you can learn to love yourself by truly understanding the way God loves you.
See your true value
In our modern world, we’re constantly flooded by the seemingly “perfect” lives of people on social media. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others and feel inadequate, but how many likes you get on Instagram does not dictate the way that God views your worth.
The values of the world are fleeting when seen through the scope of eternity. In God’s eyes, your perseverance, charity, and efforts to do good are what make you exceptional. These traits may not seem glamorous, and you may not always be perfect, but God sees the moments of quiet strength in your life and He loves you for them.
Learn to let go of past mistakes
We’ve all made mistakes, but many of us find it hard to let go of them. Thoughts of guilt and regret can take root in your mind and convince you that you’re just not good enough, that you don’t deserve to love yourself.
But if you’ve moved past your mistakes, there’s no reason to hold onto regrets. We’re supposed to make mistakes in this life—that’s the whole point of living. God expects us to fall and to pick ourselves up and try again. Let yourself learn from your mistakes. Let yourself grow and be as proud of your strength as God is.
Recognize that trials are not punishments
This life was designed to be difficult; it’s a time for learning and development. Many see trials as punishments—as signs that they need to be chastened—but that’s not what they’re meant to do. They’re intended to help you learn by overcoming them.
And you’ve made it this far! Imagine how proud God is of you. He sees every struggle, every pain, and heartbreak you’ve gone through. He knows how strong you are and feels unimaginable pride in your courage and resolution to keep pushing forward.
Remember who you are
You are a child of God. This is a phrase that we hear all the time, but we don’t often consider what it truly means. Imagine knowing that someone you love feels incapable of loving themselves. Imagine feeling their despair, their grief, and loneliness. How desperately would you want to comfort them, to tell them that they’re important, special, loved?
That’s how God feels about you. He earnestly wants you to understand your true worth—and by drawing closer to Him, by asking to feel His spirit, by understanding and celebrating your place in this world, you can begin to love yourself the way God loves you.
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love . . .” Jeremiah 31:3