The Definition of Love – Loving Yourself and Others - Written Message

Reflection 

In scripture, we’re told to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength—and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But what does it mean to truly love, especially when it comes to loving ourselves? Let’s look at what 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us about love:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us that love is:

• Patient
• Kind
• Keeps no record of wrongs
• Speaks truth
• Does not envy or boast
• Is not self-seeking, proud, or easily angered
• Always protects, hopes, and perseveres

So… let’s check in:

• Are you patient with yourself?
• Are you kind to yourself?
• Do you keep a record of your wrongs?

Here’s the thing: God loves you fully right now. His love isn’t based on what you’ve done or what you’ll do—it’s constant and complete. This unconditional love is a reminder that we don’t need to earn His affection, and we are always worthy of His grace. But even with that truth in mind, we often struggle to extend the same love to ourselves.

Imagine a friend coming to you feeling frustrated with their progress in something. I imagine that you’d immediately offer them words of kindness, encouragement, and understanding. But when it’s us in that situation, we tend to be our own harshest critics. We might say things like, “You’ll never get it right,” or “Why can’t you just do better?” When we start showing ourselves the same patience, kindness, and grace that we’d offer a friend, it changes everything.

So today, start talking to yourself as if you were speaking to a friend in your shoes. When you begin to offer yourself that same kindness, I fully believe it will transform not only your relationship with yourself but your interactions with others as well.

Recommendation 

Book: Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning