132. Do You Love Who You Are?
It's not a trick question, but one that's vitally important to how we love God and others.
Some of us have been taught to not think too highly of ourselves, and others of us may not feel worthy of love--even love from ourselves. In this episode Julie takes us deeper in why and how it's okay (and important!) to love ourselves, and why it really has nothing to do with us. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/.
Some of us have been taught to not think too highly of ourselves, and others of us may not feel worthy of love--even love from ourselves. In this episode Julie takes us deeper in why and how it's okay (and important!) to love ourselves, and why it really has nothing to do with us. Join encourager, Julie Lefebure, each Tuesday morning as she offers real encouragement for your real life right now through a fresh, hope-filled perspective, a lighthearted inspiration, and Biblical insight, all in about 15 minutes (guest shows are longer). Each episode will lift your spirits and equip you to be a light in this world. Find extra encouragement at julielefebure.com/resources/.
- encouragement
- women
- inspiration
- hope
- love
- God
- real life
- love yourself
- Gods love
- blessing
At the airing of this episode it's Valentine's week. It's the week our focus tends to turn towards love and red hearts and thinking about showing love to others. I'm thinking we're alike in desiring to show love and receive love every moment we can. But the thing is, we aren't able to show or receive love well if we don't love ourselves. So, do you love who you are?
Many of us have been told to not think too highly of ourselves, or to put others first, or to be humble and meek. Some of us aren't sure if it's okay to love ourselves because we've been taught or experienced otherwise. Others of us have been chastised at the mention of loving who we are because the focus of love shouldn't be on ourselves, but on God and others instead.
Is it wrong to love who you are?
Now, it's not wrong to be humble and meek, nor is it wrong to put others first and to keep a proper perspective of who we are. These honor God and He is very clear about these in His Word. And if we only loved ourselves and not God and others, well our priorities would be misaligned and misguided.
Loving ourselves within the healthy boundaries of God's love is beautiful in His eyes. But it's never okay to live with the thought that we aren't deserving of love--and that love includes ourselves. God's Word is also very clear about that.
I share a few Bible verses to encourage us and point us to truth. So, I ask you today...
Do you love who you are?
Do you love the person you are in a humble way? With a proper and healthy perspective? Do you love the person God created you to be?
One thing I've learned is this: loving who you are isn't about you at all.
Loving ourselves is all about God.
You can love who you are because of Who made you.
In closing, God loves you so very much, and I pray you love who you are too. You are His beautiful and magnificent creation, unique and special. As you go about your week this week, remember who you are in Jesus. I'm thankful for these few moments we got to spend together today. I love and appreciate you! God bless you!
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV
Matthew 22:37-39 ESV
Psalm 139:13-16 VOICE
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