Most of us have probably been to a wedding where 1 Corinthians 13:4-8(NIV) has been presented in some shape or form. Here it is, to help refresh your memory:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
This scripture is usually used to help describe the kind of love that should be shared between a couple during marriage. I will take it one step further and say that it should be used in all of our relationships. Now, I, by no means am a bible scholar, but I think that it gives us a great foundation for the kind of love that we should have in our lives for others.
I would like to take a different look at this scripture and apply it to another love that is many times overlooked or even missing in our lives. That love would be, the love that we should have for ourselves.
Love is patient.
Are you patient with yourself?
Love is kind.
Are you kind to yourself?
Love does not envy.
Do you envy your past?
Love does not boast.
Do you brag yourself up to make yourself feel better about your shortcoming?
Love is not proud.
Are you a humble person?
Love does not dishonor others?
Do you talk down to yourself?
Love is not self-seeking.
Are you putting others' needs before you own?
Love is not easily angered.
Do you get angry with yourself?
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
Have you forgiven you?
Love does not delight in evil.
Do you find joy in getting revenge when other have done you wrong?
Love rejoices with the truth.
Are you being truthful with you?
Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.
Do you protect and trust you? Do you have hope? Do you persevere or give up when things get tough?
We have to learn how to love ourselves before we can ever really truly be loved by others. Sure others will love us, but loving ourselves opens us up to a more abundant life of love. When we limit our self love, we limit how much love we feel and think that we are worthy of receiving. Loving yourself is not a selfish act, but an act of sacrifice. When you love yourself, not only do you become a stronger person, you become a better parent, spouse, employee, leader, etc. When we work on ourselves we become a more complete person, the person that we were designed to be, and that is the meaning of life.
Learning to love myself was not always easy. It took time. I had to invest in me. This has been the absolute best investment that I have ever made, and it's dividends have paid off immensely. Not only has it improved my financial situation, but more importantly,the relationships in my life.
Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big!
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
This scripture is usually used to help describe the kind of love that should be shared between a couple during marriage. I will take it one step further and say that it should be used in all of our relationships. Now, I, by no means am a bible scholar, but I think that it gives us a great foundation for the kind of love that we should have in our lives for others.
I would like to take a different look at this scripture and apply it to another love that is many times overlooked or even missing in our lives. That love would be, the love that we should have for ourselves.
Love is patient.
Are you patient with yourself?
Love is kind.
Are you kind to yourself?
Love does not envy.
Do you envy your past?
Love does not boast.
Do you brag yourself up to make yourself feel better about your shortcoming?
Love is not proud.
Are you a humble person?
Love does not dishonor others?
Do you talk down to yourself?
Love is not self-seeking.
Are you putting others' needs before you own?
Love is not easily angered.
Do you get angry with yourself?
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
Have you forgiven you?
Love does not delight in evil.
Do you find joy in getting revenge when other have done you wrong?
Love rejoices with the truth.
Are you being truthful with you?
Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.
Do you protect and trust you? Do you have hope? Do you persevere or give up when things get tough?
We have to learn how to love ourselves before we can ever really truly be loved by others. Sure others will love us, but loving ourselves opens us up to a more abundant life of love. When we limit our self love, we limit how much love we feel and think that we are worthy of receiving. Loving yourself is not a selfish act, but an act of sacrifice. When you love yourself, not only do you become a stronger person, you become a better parent, spouse, employee, leader, etc. When we work on ourselves we become a more complete person, the person that we were designed to be, and that is the meaning of life.
Learning to love myself was not always easy. It took time. I had to invest in me. This has been the absolute best investment that I have ever made, and it's dividends have paid off immensely. Not only has it improved my financial situation, but more importantly,the relationships in my life.
Dream Big...Pursue Big...Live Big!
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