You matter

10 ways to love yourself and care for your soul

by Ginger Harrington

Believe that you matter. You have value and worth. Don’t swallow the lies and rejection of others that can make you feel worthless. These words aren’t from God and they are not true (1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Thessalonians 1:4)

Agree with what God says about you in His Word. Agreeing is faith in action. When you agree with God, there’s no room for the enemy to enter the conversation (Psalm 139:14, Jeremiah 31:3, John 4:19).

Intentionally receive God’s love. Hold out your hands and your heart and actually say it, “Lord, I receive your love. Thank you!” (Ephesians 3:16-19, John 3:16, John 1:16).

Rely on Christ for your needs. (Phil 4:19) When we trust Christ to meet our needs, we can stop trying so hard to get love, acceptance, security, value, and worth by our own efforts and coping skills. Freedom to love yourself in a godly way is found by living in the Spirit not working in the flesh.

Accept yourself. You are loved and accepted by God. When you believe this, you will be free to accept yourself. You cannot love what you refuse to accept (Psalm 139).

Embrace the truth of God’s Word. Scripture is filled with truths to set you free to live and love with joy and freedom (John 8:32).

Speak truth to yourself. Stop repeating the old messages and lies–the I can’ts, I’ll never’s, I should’s, and I’m not’s. Stop keeping records of your mistakes and sins. God isn’t counting, why should you? (Psalm 103:12, 1 Corinthians 13:5).

Trust God with your imperfections and insecurities. He’s promised to bring you to completion. Trust Him to finish what He’s started (1 Thess. 5:23-24, Philippians 1:6).

Care for yourself: body, mind, and soul. You take care of others. It’s time to put yourself on the list (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Rest and honor the Sabbath—rest is a physical need and a holy command. (Exodus 33:14, Psalm 37:7, Psalm 23:2-3).

It’s okay to care for yourself.

These are just a few ways to show love and grace to yourself. Secure in God’s love, you are free to love God, others, and yourself. Caring for yourself, enables you to have more to give others for you are not constantly running on empty.

So today, I write to the one who is weary of all the trying. I speak to one who labors under the weight of self-condemnation. I whisper words of permission to the one who has forgotten she matters.

God loves you and it’s okay.
It’s okay to love yourself.
It’s good to love yourself.
Loving yourself is a necessary grace.

What’s one way you show love to yourself?