“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren” –Deuteronomy 4:9
Jesus said in Matthew 22:36 what was His greatest command, “You shall love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The more fully we grasp the wonder of God’s love, the more fully we love Him, and the more we can accept and love ourselves.
I spend years, hating myself -my personality, my appearance, everything about me. It took along time to get past the negative beliefs I got from my mother. I have to admit I still struggle with letting go of negative thinking.
The Bible emphasizes the power of our thoughts can shape our lives and He encourages us to focus on positive, God honoring thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he thinks in his heart so is he.”
How to begin to love your soul:
- Forgive yourself
Psalms 103:12 tells us “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
There is something to be said about how I can forgive others at the drop of a hat, but have a hard time forgiving myself. I’ll ask God to forgive me, but it’s like the enemy sneaks in and yes, “no so fast.”
- Forgive others
Refusing to forgive others is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. Unforgiveness can hold you hostage. Bitterness is like cancer it eats us away from the inside out.
It’s important to remember that God is pleased with what He is doing in you. When we are secure in the Love of God, we will be able to release the fear that God is disappointed with us.”
It is only when we have mastered the art of loving ourselves that we can truly love others.
From Pity to Praise 