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.
29 comments:
Awesome read. I can feel love in every paragraph. Self love is the stage from where you learn how to love yourself and then the same concept applies to others. It is a sort of Stepping stone.
It starts from Knowing God's love. So true! I've missed ur posts o. Nice one. Selfie for life! lol
You have an awesome blog. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed reading your posts. All the best for your future blogging journey.
first to comment. lol. We Christian just like to take everything serious. You're on point
Ore mi toh gbaski, you're not the first to comment jhorr . lol. It just breaks my heart to know that those who are meant to live as witnesses of the transforming love of God (Christians) think it is selfish and pathetic to have self-love.
Awww... . Thanks Doug. I'm glad you visited :)
yayyy! Shola Tee is back! *rings bell* Welcome hun. We've missed you on this side of the world. Lol. It's selfie for God o
Thanks for your kind words, Wrech. You're right. Learning is knowing, and knowing is being. The more we know about God's love is the more we tend to love ourselves, and spread the love to others. That's the inspiration. :)
The truth is when Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." He did not command self-love. All of u talking about self-love. That's the only verse you quote. Self-love is not Christianity!
I agree with you where you said "Self-love is allowing God's love to flow through me." Love as described in the Bible is quite different from the love as espoused by the world. Biblical love is selfless and unconditional, whereas the world’s love is characterized by selfishness. The difference is obvious.
I just love this post. Its my second time here, and lemme not lie I am mega thrilled by your originality. You've won my heart like kilode
Ehen, is there any price for first to comment? *fastens seat belt*
Is this the same Dollypee I know? Dolapo Esan?
Self- love. I can't wait to listen to Heart rays tomorrow. O ma gbono felifeli bi akara to jino gangan. hehehehe.. .
Amaka, isn't “Self” the thing we want out of the way so that we can love rightly with our spirit?
Lol. Chris we're not fighting na. Besides, I didn't quote that particular verse. I believe we love others based on God’s abiding love for us in Christ. In response to this love, we share it with everyone we come in contact with—our neighbors. Love is an inside-out living.
Thank you dear Dollypee. I'm glad your heart find this article very pleasant. It's great having you here o. . .please come again :D
Finally, somebody sees this from my angle. Self-love is of the flesh. It is expressely stated in the bible. Love of oneself is a sin.
When you love yourself, loving others becomes easy. You cannot give what you don't have!
Interesting and deep. #justobserving
I appreciate your comments friends. I don't have strength for a debate tonight. May God open our eyes to understand LOVE the way He does. Amen. I'll see you tomorrow.
All I see here is a single, lonly and unhappy girl. Self-love indeed
smh. who b diz one? @Amakamedia, I tink you should delete annoying comments or betterstill, be approving ur screening ur comments before publishing them. This "anonymous" needs Jesus.
Great post! I love this :) you can never love if you dont love yourself! :)
This blog truly hits the core of what all of us have such a hard time accepting and believing! The most important person that we need to love is ourselves. Not saying this is selfish in any means, but its the true sign of confidence, acceptance and self worth. Like many bloggers on here, I strongly believe life led me to this site to not find answers or solutions but instead find that self worth and self love is the ultimate form of finding inner peace.
You speak truth! I enjoyed this piece and thank you for sharing.
This is a great article! I’ve really enjoyed it. And I’m all with you that loving yourself, helps you love others too
Thank you for a great teaching!!! I need to pray for God to reveal his
love through me. This is something we can't muster up it has to channel
through us from God himself!!!!!!!
You can’t love others if you don’t love yourself first. And, you can’t love yourself without receiving God’s love for you!
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