BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Bible Basics Seven Steps to a Useful Life

I love lists of all kinds. This ancient list was originally written by the Apostle Peter, and I expanded on it here. Don't know that we can ever completely cross off the items on this to-do list, but it's good to have a plan, anyway.

It's funny but brother love and love is so foundational in Christian living, but why can't I remember to love myself? Aren't we supposed to love ourselves? Or is that Jesus' job?

Lori,
We do seem to have trouble keeping self-love in its right place. In our natural state, we love ourselves too much, to the exclusion of God and others. Recognizing and accepting Jesus' great sacrifice in laying down his life for us, while we were his enemies, helps us to learn to love God and others as we should.

But sometimes people in our lives have damaged us so badly that we don't know how to value ourselves as God does, and we think that we are worthless. Again, coming to know the deep love Jesus has for each one of us, and realizing that he deemed us worth sacrificing his life for, can help us love ourselves as we should and heal us from the damage done to us. So Jesus' love for us is a natural corrective, whether we love ourselves too much or too little.

LeeAnn, that is so true. I have a friend who cannot find the way to love herself because she believes the ex-husband and the children that she is worthless. It is so sad to see.

Rebecca,
We all know people like that, probably. I know I do. I thank God for the very real good we can do them by loving them and lifting them up to the throne of grace in prayer. These two actions in tandem can literally let loose miracles.

LeeAnn, you are a good person that I observed from your thinking and advises. I never heard it in my life before.Keep it up and you are doing well.

Smiera, I'm glad you're finding my musings useful. I hope you are learning things to deepen your love for God.