I was always so confused when people I admire would tell me to love myself first before anything and anyone, but I never fully understood it completely. I “thought” I was loving myself when I began to nourish my body better, work out, and get manicures, (which by the way, are great ways to show self-love!) But, what I forgot to take care of was my spiritual wellness. I honestly didn’t know how to nor did I know it was such a thing!
As I continue to study God’s Word, the more I understand who He is and who I am. Oh, and let me tell you, A LOT of the things I have learned about myself that I was doing wrong have not been easy to digest, but soooooo worth my effort to improve on!
Last week, at one of my bible study groups we went over the gospel of John chapter 13, and a new commandment was given… (Also given previously on Mark 12:31 “love your neighbor as YOURSELF.)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~John 13:34-35
Before Jesus announced this new commandment, He had demonstrated love to his disciples by washing their feet. His disciples confused by Jesus’s action, (very common by the way,) He explained to them how they wouldn’t understand now but afterward they would, and He states that if they don’t allow Jesus to wash their feet that they would have no share with Him. In this case, Judas was unclean (even after having his feet washed) for Jesus knew that He was about to betray Him. (I encourage you to read all of John 13, to fully understand.)
What personally amazed me from this chapter was the fact that Jesus announced this new commandment to His disciples after He had sent Judas out with the morsel of bread. Judas was unclean and satan had entered him. He didn’t love himself fully based on his actions, so why would Jesus ask Judas to love people as himself, right?
Do you see it too!?!? If we desire to be disciples of Jesus, we need to understand what loving ourselves really means. Not just for our own good, but especially because to call ourselves Christians is a tough name to carry. It’s not easy by any means, but definitely worth it!
Fall in love with God. He longs for you and wants to be romanced just as we do too. He is our bridegroom!
Loving myself how God wants me to do so is still a process, but compared to where I used to be, I can honestly say that I am already a whole new person, praise the Lord! (Below is a link to a book, other than the Bible, that has been helping me through loving myself as a woman, check it out!)
Trust God, and Do Good… 🙂
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