Go **** yourself.

 
This verse has been in my mind for the past few weeks, but with a different emphasis.
 
Usually when I think of this verse, I tend focus on it as a verse for how to treat other people. Lately, the ‘as yourself’ part has been sticking out.
 
This season here in Georgia has begun with learning about investing in myself.
I feel like it’s the first time in my life where I’ve been encouraged to do so.

If loving your neighbor hinges on the idea that you are able to love yourself, then, I guess I’m taking this season to learn how to love my neighbor better: by better loving myself.
 
And I don’t mean loving myself in a narcissistic way. It’s not an entitlement to spoil myself or feel better than other people kind of love.
 
I’m learning to take another look at the life I’ve lived up to this point, and be thankful for the way it has shaped me. So yes, thank you God for the garbage you’ve walked me through.
 
I’m learning more about the value of being created in the image of God – and loving me.
 
I am the handiwork of God; who am I to critique the work of God – whether it’s myself or someone else?
 
I’ve asked God to let me see others how He sees them, but rarely ask God to let me see myself as He sees me. And the way He sees me is the same way he looks at Jesus- and you know God loved his only son.

I'm learning to see myself with the value God sees with. I come from a past where I believed a lie that I wasn't worth anything and I know now that I'm not the only one who has ever felt that way. At one point in my life, learning to love myself meant the difference of life and death – God's love isn't ethereal and intangible – it matters, it saves.

When I came to know God and his love for me, I was finally able to love me. Now I understand that if God says I'm important and of value, why wouldn't He think the same for the rest of his creation?

I know I'll never full understand the depth of God's love for me on this earth, but if Christ died for you & me, then we must really be of worth.