Show some love

Topping the Billboard charts shortly after it’s release in November 2015, Justin Bieber made famous the words, “you should go and love yourself”. Although the song was originally penned by Ed Sheeran, it became what it was because of the energy and creativity that Bieber poured into the song. Despite the narrative of the lyrics essentially saying F-you to an ex-lover, it got me thinking that perhaps I should go and love myself. I have a good friend that reminds me often that we are not only told to, “Love your neighbor”, but to, “Love your neighbor as yourself“. The implication seems to be that loving yourself is not a bad thing. Not only is it not bad, but it is both good and required.

“Show yourself some love”

This command to love myself can actually seem a bit ridiculous. I know me, the real me that nobody else sees. I know my thoughts and intentions, and I know they are not always very lovely. In fact often times they just downright suck. So how can I truly love myself in spite of my past, my failures, and even stupid stuff I haven’t even done yet? Well, the same way I have to make a choice to love my neighbor, with grace and forgiveness. The truth is that loving isn’t always easy. Even the people we “love” the most are often the ones that we can prove to be most unloving toward. Loving yourself can take just as much effort. Give yourself grace. Be patient with yourself. Forgive yourself and show yourself some love.

Consider the ways that you’re loving, or not loving yourself. I personally have to consciously choose to love myself; to see myself as more than just my struggles and failures. I am made in the image of God and he declares me to be good and forgiven, and you are, too. Remind yourself of that often. You are not only loved, you are worth loving. So be kind to yourself, be patient with your humanity, and choose to grow in your love for God, your neighbor, and yourself.