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Love Yourself

I've recently had a "light bulb" experience.  What did I learn?  I am the common denominator in all of my relationships; therefore, my relationship with myself is going to influence all my relationships.

How did I get here?  Well, it was by way of an experience which left me feeling misunderstood, exposed, and full of self-loathing.  It happened in a blink.  One minute I was confident in my relationships.  The next minute I was wallowing in my failure as a friend.

This called for some major "hunkering down" with the LORD.  That's what I call getting alone with the LORD, pouring out my heart (in prayer), and pouring over His Word (the Bible) in search of His answers.

His answer was unexpected.  He helped me remember some things.  He set me on this path almost three years ago!  He used Scriptures about my identity in Him and our relationship.  He gave me music and friends that spoke into my life.  My delight in Him grew exponentially.  I experienced His daily expressions of delight and love for me on a more personal level.   He took me to a place of seeing myself through His eyes.  He pushed me to see and let go of names and labels that didn't belong to me; snatched false identities away and replaced them with His truth about who I am.

All this was Him leading me gently toward this place of freedom and healing.  He wanted me to understand my relationship with Him and my relationship with myself are both influential in my ability to love others.  That's why His Word says to love Him with all my heart,  all my soul, and  all my strength.  And to love others as I love myself.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  But you know what He's shown me?  He doesn't condemn me, but I condemn myself.  Love keeps no record of wrongs, but I keep a record of all my wrongs.  He blots my sins out of His book like they never happened.  I've never blotted anything out of my book.  I record all of it, and then I pull it out and beat myself up over every unkind thought, impulsive word, thoughtless act, and poor choice.

No wonder God's been showing me my position and identity in Him.  He knew I needed a new perspective of myself, His beloved daughter.  He knew last week's twist in the path was coming.  In fact, it was put there by His own loving hand.  He wanted me to experience all the freedom He came to give me.  Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.  Well, today I'm extending mercy to myself, and I'm taking the mercy promised.  The truth has set me free, and I'm looking forward to what my new freedom will bring with it.  No worries!  I'll be sure to tell you all about it.    

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