How do you love yourself?

Godlovesmetwo · Nov 17, 2016

We can love ourselves in an egoistic way by valuing our own opinion over others for instance. But how do you love yourself in a way that is healthy for your self and others?

Fish and Bread · Nov 17, 2016

This thread has the potential to go downhill really fast...

The Lord's Table: After Dark

YCGP · Nov 17, 2016

Good question.

I think the difference between someone who loves himself and someone who does not love himself is this:

The person who loves himself both notices and appreciates his positives. He also makes sure to take care of all the things that affect him, such as his health, his finances, his faith, his social circle, etc.

The person who does not love himself will be reckless, bringing danger and insecurity into his life. He will allow himself to be ruled by addictions, habits, fears, etc.--especially if it he is able to obtain instant gratification for something. For example, he will overspend on a hobby and will not have enough money to pay for his apartment. He will also tear himself down more than he lifts his spirits.

Godlovesmetwo · Nov 17, 2016

Fish and Bread said:
This thread has the potential to go downhill really fast...

The Lord's Table: After Dark

better than uphill and my mind didn't go there which is a pleasant change I guess

Fish and Bread · Nov 17, 2016

bettercallpaul said:
better than uphill

That's always been my philosophy...

Fantine · Nov 17, 2016

I love the Buddhist greeting "Namaste."

(We are on TLT, right?)

"The God in me recognizes the God in you."

That's what makes us--and others--worthy of love.

Our spirits (souls) are immortal. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. Our bodies can help us accomplish great things, but they can weigh us down with temptations and failures. When I get angry at myself I try to reconnect to my spirit and say, "Have you learned from this experience? Has it made you wiser and stronger?"

Godlovesmetwo · Nov 17, 2016

Fantine said:
"The God in me recognizes the God in you."

Like it very much, Fantine.

Godlovesmetwo · Nov 17, 2016

YCGP said:
He will also tear himself down more than he lifts his spirits.

We don't realise that it is just as unhealthy to tear ourselves down as tearing others down.

Kenny'sID · Nov 17, 2016

We Love Us
"You love me for loving you and you are you because I do, and I love you for loving me and I am me because of you. So much with us in love are we so much in love with us are we. You kiss me for kissing you and you are you because I do, and I kiss you for kissing me, and I am me because of you. So much with us in love are we you could kiss you and I could kiss me!" Tommy Smothers

Davidnic · Nov 17, 2016

Fantine said:
I love the Buddhist greeting "Namaste."

(We are on TLT, right?)

"The God in me recognizes the God in you."

That's what makes us--and others--worthy of love.

Our spirits (souls) are immortal. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. Our bodies can help us accomplish great things, but they can weigh us down with temptations and failures. When I get angry at myself I try to reconnect to my spirit and say, "Have you learned from this experience? Has it made you wiser and stronger?"

I think there is a good point here. My answer was going to be that I look at my worth as coming from the Image of God. That life of God in me. His gifts to me. His love of me...even when I do not deserve it. Especially when I do not deserve it. And that gives me great value and worth that I can see in myself. But it also...as it must...leads me to know that those things are true of every other person. All people are made in His Image. So the properly ordered love of self must cause a greater love of and empathy toward others.

What is my greatest claim to pride...the Image of God. Something equally possessed by all people...at all stages of life, all levels of wealth, all colors of skin...ect. So my greatest claim is equal to all others. Not greater. So if I love myself I must love them. If I love them I must love myself. And above all, if I love God...I must love myself and others. Because the one who can not be wrong does. The Image of God is in us all.

crossnote · Nov 17, 2016

Love, by definition is 'other' oriented, not 'self' oriented.

wayfaring man · Nov 17, 2016

Yes but, and,

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. <---> Proverbs 19:8

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. <---> Ephesians 5:28

Genersis · Nov 17, 2016

I have never been good at this loving one's self thing.

Do a lot better than I used to though.
I'd give myself a D...maybe a D+ if I'm feeling incredibly generous...and especially if I get to use one of those classic red teacher pens.
Perhaps with some extra unintentionally condescending advice like "Well done! Keep it up!"

Godlovesmetwo · Nov 17, 2016

Davidnic said:
I think there is a good point here. My answer was going to be that I look at my worth as coming from the Image of God. That life of God in me. His gifts to me. His love of me...even when I do not deserve it. Especially when I do not deserve it. And that gives me great value and worth that I can see in myself. But it also...as it must...leads me to know that those things are true of every other person. All people are made in His Image. So the properly ordered love of self must cause a greater love of and empathy toward others.

What is my greatest claim to pride...the Image of God. Something equally possessed by all people...at all stages of life, all levels of wealth, all colors of skin...ect. So my greatest claim is equal to all others. Not greater. So if I love myself I must love them. If I love them I must love myself. And above all, if I love God...I must love myself and others. Because the one who can not be wrong does. The Image of God is in us all.

But in reality, how many people really do this? really think like this? How many truly love themselves and others in the way God intended?

Godlovesmetwo · Nov 17, 2016

Genersis said:
I'd give myself a D...maybe a D+

I'll give you a B minus at least.

How do you love yourself?

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