Self-love is not selfishness
I'm not sure if it's a Christian principle or doctrine to judge things from the light of "this is sin and this is not sin" ish. It's really amazing how we think. Anyways, this' how I see the self-love thingy. . .
Exactly two weeks ago, a close friend accused me of being selfish because I made a decision without putting her into consideration. And the choice I made affected our relationship. It's a sad story. But I must admit she was right. Selfishness is to be excessively concerned about your own happiness, welfare, advantages or pleasure, regardless of others. I was selfish to place my own desires before hers.
To regret a decision create no positive change. But to learn from its consequences does. I sure learnt my lessons. And I'm glad I went through that process. It only made me wiser and better. Selfishness is wanting everything for yourself only. Got that?
Now, that we know what selfishness means. Let's take a look on self-love.
*clears throat* Self-love is allowing God's love to flow through me. The foundation of self-love is God's love. The thought of knowing God loves me drives me so crazy (crazy in a good way tho)!
The love of God tells me how super amazing, gorgeous, blessed, powerful, and loved I am. In the light of this knowledge, I'm loving myself everyday. The love overflows, and gives me the energy to love others too.
Lemme say this, at the time I was drafting this article, this verse illuminated my heart:
"For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, " 2 Tim. 3:2
Mehn, I became afraid of the rays it will bring. With so many selfies on my phone, I wasn't sure of what I'll do about them. But now, I understand.
Being a lover of oneself without a foundation in the knowledge of the awesome love of God is unholy. Self-love is sin when God is taken out of the picture.
When we do not know who we are or we're not comfortable with who we are, we spend more time and focus on ourselves, trying to find our true identity, searching for purpose and fulfillment. So it is that self-doubt that leads to selfishness.
I find self-love very inspiring. It means believing in me like God does. It means seeing me through God's eyes of love. It means I believe I can achieve my dreams. It means I believe in me. It simply means I love all of meeeee. . .! I really don't know how else to explain this, it just feels so good!
Hmmmm. . . Take a deep breath. Can you feel God right beside you? You are so loved!
Posted by Nwamaka Ajaegbu
Follow on Twitter: @Amakamedia
Email: amakamedia@yahoo.com
Heart Rays . . .giving out the light.
