Christian Living

---

When you look in the mirror… Do you like what you see? Do you like you? Do you love you?

Many times I read the scripture “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) and I always focused on “love your neighbor” and never on “as yourself” until one day God gave me a revelation.

God expects you to love yourself; this is the key to loving others God’s way. And loving yourself does not mean feeling better than others or acting superior to others. It means that you are “Walking in Love”. It means that you carry yourself with respect, dignity and integrity, and you want the very best for you (having standards, goals, dreams, self-esteem -not settling for less; being and doing your best-being all you can be; although not perfect-striving for excellence); taking care of you (mind, soul and body); knowing and accepting who you are (good, bad, strengths, weaknesses, attributes, faults, limitations, etc.); and being willing and open to learn, grow, change, adjust and improve.

When you love you, you will “Love your neighbor (Mom, Dad, siblings, spouse, children, relatives, friends, co-workers, neighbors and strangers) as yourself”. This means that you will also want the best for your “neighbor” and have his/her best interest at heart; you will treat your “neighbor” with respect, dignity and fairness; you will exercise patience, self-control and tolerance towards your “neighbor”; you will help, give and care for your “neighbor”; you will be mindful and sensitive to your “neighbor’s” situation and needs; you will be genuinely happy for your “neighbor” when good things happen; and you will accept your “neighbor” as he or she is, focusing on the good/positive rather than the bad/negative (this does not mean that you agree or condone everything he/she says or does).

Love God first, then love yourself so that you can love your “neighbor” God’s way!

For more on loving yourself and loving others, read my book A Time To Reflect, pages: 103, 119, 129, 279 & 331.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE