Can you really love yourself?

I stand in front of the mirror and wipe the sleep from my eyes. What do I notice first? Tossled hair, a few extra pounds hanging around after the holidays, perhaps the tiniest of lines beginning to make an appearance.

A paragraph from Annie Downs’ book, From Head to Foot, pops into my mind…

If you are like me, even a little bit, then the idea of loving all of you seems challenging at best. More like impossible, if you were to be really honest. I sat at a coffee shop last night as my friend, in tears, looked across the table and said, “How do I love me, Annie?” And as I sat there, I realized this isn’t a one-sentence answer. And it isn’t a one-moment solution.

Don’t we all ask this question at some point?

It seems like it would be easy to love ourselves. And, yes, it may seem appear that we do. After all, we can be selfish, indulgent, and pretty committed to getting what we want. Or maybe that’s just me. Ahem.

But that’s not the kind of love I mean–or the kind Jesus meant when He said, “love your neighbor as yourself.” The kind that sets us free to serve, find joy, and follow hard after God with all we are…heart, soul, mind and body. 

Once a month I ask you to come on over to (in)courage and read the rest of a post there with me. I’m so thankful for that community and absolutely love it when you’re there. Today you can join our conversation about this topic and have a chance to win Annie’s book too! Will you read the rest on (in)courage with me? Oh, thank you! You’re just wonderful.

Do you struggle with loving who you are, inside or out? What helps you? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment on (in)courage before midnight on January 15th. When you do, you’ll be entered to win a copy of From Head to Foot: All of You Living All for Him by Annie Downs. To get to (in)courage, just click here.