Loving Yourself Through God’s Eyes

The very commercialized holiday of Valentine’s Day focuses on romantic love. As a result, it leaves many women feeling overlooked, unworthy, insecure and disconnected from themselves. They often question their own value, their own self-worth. Is it difficult for you to love yourself?  Know that God’s love doesn’t expire on February 14. Remember 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.”  (usccb.org) Without God’s love we are nothing. The great news is that we each already have it! It doesn’t need to be earned. You can love yourself through God’s eyes.

The part many people struggle with is learning to love themselves through God’s eyes. This is foundational. It is not an indulgent idea. Let’s talk about loving yourself. Come along and discover what biblical self-love truly means, why it is important and how seeing yourself through God’s eyes brings healing, confidence and purpose. It helps you to love yourself through God’s eyes.

What Biblical Self-Love Is (and What It Isn’t)

Let’s start with what Biblical self-love isn’t. It isn’t pride, vanity or selfishness. Pride is that deep emotion of satisfaction in your own accomplishments or possessions. That puts a focus on you. The same can be said about vanity, which is an excessive pride in self. Biblical self-love is not selfishness. Selfishness again puts the focus on you. Putting yourself above all others is not Biblical self-love.

Biblical self-love is honoring what God created. Jesus assumes self-love as a healthy baseline as stated in Mark 12:31, “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (usccb.org) Loving yourself does not replace loving God. Loving yourself flows from loving God.

Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes

Many women love others deeply but struggle to extend grace to themselves. We are taught to be very critical of ourselves and to focus on our flaws. When you are caught in this cycle, refer to Psalm 139:14,  “I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.”  (usccb.org) God created you to be uniquely you. God sees your worth. He knows your purpose. Your beloved identity is visible to Him. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” (usccb.org)

Take some time to reflect on these questions:

Whose voice shapes how you see yourself, God’s or the world’s?

How do YOU see yourself?

Why Self-Love Is Essential for Healing & Growth

Self-love is the foundational, unconditional acceptance of yourself. It serves as the most important component for your mental, emotional and physical healing and growth.

Without self-love:

• We tolerate unhealthy relationships
• We live misaligned lives
• We silence our God-given gifts

With God-rooted self-love:

• Healing begins
• Confidence grows
• Purpose becomes more clear

We are told by  Proverbs 4:23,“With all vigilance guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.”  (usccb.org) It is deep within ourselves that God gave us the power to be healthy, to live healthy and heal ourselves and grow with His Spirit. It is up to us to be connected and to allow Him to guide us.

Loving Yourself as an Act of Stewardship

Your mind, body, heart and soul are gifts entrusted to you. They are yours to steward. Loving yourself honors God’s investment in you. These investments include; healthy boundaries, rest, forgiveness (especially of self) and speaking life instead of criticism. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 teaches us, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.” (usccb.org) We are called to steward God’s greatest gift to us. That gift is our life; mind, body and soul.

Practical Ways to Practice God-Centered Self-Love

Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”   (usccb.org) So how do you do this? How do you practice God-centered self-love?

1. Replace negative self-talk with faith-filled affirmations: contemplate the positive of what is negative that you focus on. Find a Scripture verse to support it.
2. Release comparison and embrace identity: God created you to be uniquely you.
3. Align daily choices with God’s design: Pray before doing.
4. Say yes to growth and no to guilt: Align your life to what God wants for you.

Know that God loves you and wants only the best for you. It is your free will that gets in the way of what is good. The time is now to embrace the fact that you are meant for more and that God loves you unconditionally. 

From Self-Love to Aligned Living 

Once you have gained self-love, you can move to aligned living. It’s time to start seeing yourself through God’s eyes so you can love yourself as He loves you.. This  allows you to rise above fear, align with God’s purpose and shine authentically just like he created you to.  It is a process and takes time. Think of it as a journey, a faith journey. There may be detours or bumps along the way. Just remember to use God as your GPS. He will guide you.

John 10:10 tells us, “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”  (usccb.org) When we begin to love ourselves through God’s eyes, everything changes. You change how you think, how you choose and how you show up in the world. Rise. Align. Shine. Living Boldly in Faith, Purpose, and Joy was written for women who know there is more and are ready to live fully aligned with who God created them to be. If you’re ready to release fear, embrace your identity and step boldly into purpose, this next step is for you.

Final Reflection to See Yourself Through God’s Eyes

Although Valentine’s Day may be over, at the same time, God’s love always remains. In fact, it is greater than any commercial holiday. Release shame and learn to forgive yourself for any past mishaps. See yourself as God sees you, His creation; good, uniquely gifted and worthy. Step into purpose with confidence, knowing that God is with you every step of the way. You just need to include Him. Start living boldly in faith, purpose and joy because you were never meant to blend in. Now is the time! You are meant to shine!