by Michaela Langstone

Created on: February 22, 2010   Last Updated: February 23, 2010

HOW CAN WE IMPROVE OUR LOVE OF SELF?

Love is imperative to a healthy, happy and fulfilled life that we all seek after.  The life God approves and desires for us to live is quite simple to achieve, if we would only let go of our own inhibitions.  In order to love others, we must first love and accept ourselves.  According to Ephesians 5:29, “…no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church” and from this verse, we can infer that it is not normal to hate one self.  In order to develop a healthy self-esteem and improve our self love, we must first deal with whatever is hindering us from our personal relationship with God.

1. We should seek God's acceptance by dealing with our past and sins

The fundamental cause that separates us from God is the way we see ourselves and the sins we have committed.  At times, we may feel angry and unforgiving of ourselves because of what we have done.  We may feel like we have made a grave mistake in our choices, failed to do something right the first time or sinned so badly that we are far from any kind of forgiveness.  The truth is that God's forgiveness for our sins is readily available if we genuinely seek His mercy, that is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ into the world.  It is through the blood of Christ shed at Calvary that we may now obtain forgiveness for all our sins and shortcomings.  1 John 1:9-10 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."  So, all we need to do is confess our sins, receiving God's grace and forgiveness, exchanging beauty for our ashes.

In prayer, ask God for His peace, love and mercy, believing that you are receiving these things.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you every step of the way and to prevent you from stumbling in your walk with God.  This process brings you back into God's presence and as you begin to open yourself up to God, you will receive healing and restoration in your weakness.  As God strengthens you, one thing you will discover is that you can learn to forgive yourself more easily.  If God accepts you, why should you not accept yourself?  Do not focus on your past and what you may have done, but rather focus on the person of Christ and what you

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