To Love Thyself

In my last blog, I referenced discussing next the topic of self -love. I think this is really important as Christians that we recognize that sometimes we practice love for others, but don't always do the same for ourselves. What I mean is this, how can a person tell others that God loves them despite their faults and sin, when we don't accept that and claim it for ourselves?

He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself '.”

Luke 10:27

I was raised in a Baptist church, and was taught at a young age that this command has 2 parts, but I now believe it has 3 parts: Love your God, Love your neighbor, and Love yourself. I speak from experience that sometimes our actions get the best of us-that we tell others God loves them unconditionally but have a hard time loving ourselves, so despite our best intentions, that lack of self love can come out. And I don't mean we should be vain and self centered, but I believe that if we practice loving ourselves and accepting God's unconditional love, that we can truly be the ambassadors that God meant us to be.