Please, Love Yourself

Guest Post by Kathie Best

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:16 NIV)

Psalm 139 is my favorite scripture. I adore verse 16. When I struggled with a decent amount of self-hatred, I read that verse over and over. God led David to pen those beautiful words, and as I read them for the first time (generations later) it changed my view of self!

Do you love yourself?

If you do not struggle with self-love from time to time, you are rare. We are bombarded by celebrity bombshells, cut by models on the catwalk, and petrified by each pound over our idealized weight on the scale.

At times, self-love gets a bad rap. Some folks have taught if we love ourselves, we are selfish, self-centered, and narcissistic. These folks don’t know what they are talking about. It’s often the people who do not love themselves who exhibit these characteristics.

When I love myself:

• I see who I really am. I see my unique gifts, talents, abilities, and thank God for them. I thank God that the very hairs on my head are numbered (see Matthew 10:30) and that He knit me together in my mother’s womb (see Psalm 139:16).
• I see my shortcomings and admit them to God and others so that I will change.
• I am fearless and take risks.
• If I fail (and at times I will) I do not condemn myself. I try again.
• I offer the fruits of the Spirit to others (see Galatians 5:22-23)
• I realize that God created me for a certain job – not Gretchen, Sue, Bob – He created me.
• I set boundaries with people who want to harm me or condemn and railroad my purpose.
• I accept the love that God has for me. I accept that Jesus Christ died for me and forgives me each day.
• I can forgive others.
• I love others with agape love.

Please, gorgeous women of NACWE, love yourselves. You will be glad you do and so will the world around you.

Kathie Best, Owner and Women’s Advocate, Transformations Ministries http://transformationsministry.com/