For as he thinks in his heart, so is he...
Proverbs 23:7
Most people don't like themselves. I've had many years of experience,
trying to help people be whole emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and
socially. I felt like it was a major breakthrough when I discovered that
most people really don't like themselves. Some of them know it, while
others don't even have a clue that this is probably the root of so many
other problems in their lives.
God wants us to have great relationships, but self-rejection and even
self-hatred are at the root of many of our relationship problems. In
fact, I have found the Bible to be a book about relationships, providing
valuable advice about my relationship with God, with other people, and
with myself.
How are the relationships in your life? What about your relationship
with God... and with other people? How about your relationship with
yourself?
Did it ever occur to you that you have a relationship with yourself?
While I've never given it much thought, I do spend more time with myself
than with anyone else, and it is vital that I get along well with me.
Remember, you are the one person you never get away from.
We all know how agonizing it is to work day after day with someone we
don't get along with, but at least we don't have to take that person
home with us at night. We never have one minute away from ourselves, not
even one second, so it is of the utmost importance that we have peace
with ourselves.
Many of us fall prey to self-rejection because we don't ! feel that
anyone really loves and accepts us. We figure that if nobody else loves
us, then why should we love ourselves. Because we think others don't
love us, we feel that we must not be worth loving. But that is a LIE we
have believed for way too long!
We should love ourselves—not in a selfish, self-centered way that
produces a lifestyle of self-indulgence, but in a balanced, godly way
that simply affirms God's creation as essentially good and right. We may
be flawed by the years and the unfortunate experiences we have gone
through, but that doesn't mean we are worthless and good for nothing.
We must have the kind of love for ourselves that says, "I know that God
loves me, so I can love what God chooses to love. I don't love
everything I do, but I accept myself because God accepts me." We must
develop the kind of mature love that says, "I know I need to change, and
I want to change. In fact, I believe God is changing me daily—but in the
meanwhile, I will not reject what God accepts. I will accept myself as I
am right now, knowing that I will not always remain this way."
Many times, people who reject themselves do so because they cannot see
themselves as good, or proper, or right. They fail to see themselves the
way God sees them—as precious children whom he loves dearly.
As you begin to see yourself through God's eyes—as someone who is loved
and cherished—your view of yourself will begin to change. You will begin
to see yourself, not as rejected, but as loved and accepted...unique and
beautiful in His sight.
