Loving Ourselves Biblically

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. – Leviticus 19:18 (NASB)

I experienced an abusive relationship filled with lies, deceit, neglect, and unfaithfulness at every level, affecting my financial, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. For years, I tolerated an unremorseful partner, thinking I lacked patience or didn't have enough faith if I chose to leave. However, after yet another incident of his refusal to work toward restoration, a powerful light struck me from within, and I looked at him, saying," For the first time in my life, I believe I don’t deserve this." I recognized I had biblical grounds to leave, but I hadn’t realized that loving my neighbor as myself also meant loving myself in a biblical sense. The truth is, I was following biblical instructions. I thought of him more highly than myself; I respected him and submitted to the Lord regarding everything that pertained to him, but not toward myself. The Lord had to show me my worth, how He loves me, and allowed me to see myself through His eyes and not my spouse's or my own, and that He is faithful when others are not.

If you don’t know your worth, I encourage you to learn about the love Jesus has for you. Let His love cover the multitude of sins committed by others and those we have committed ourselves. This was my first step toward loving myself and understanding the biblical principles that taught me my worth. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth – (Proverbs 19:8; Romans 12:9; Ephesians 5:9).

Heavenly Father, nothing compares to Your truth as You shine Your light on those of us who have fallen into the trap that hides our value given to us when we were formed in the womb. Let us receive the wisdom You offer about our value to You and cling to what is good because of Your love for us.

This devotion by author Terrie Miles is exclusively and solely shared with permission to New Beginnings Church. Any unauthorized printed reproduction, sharing, or use of this material is prohibited.