Self love in a hurting world

The world is a very broken, dysfunctional place. Spiritually, our world is going through a transformation. The hurt and pain of the world can so easily penetrate your heart and how you see yourself. Have you ever been in a room full of people and felt really good about yourself, like you were on top of the world? Have you ever experienced someone saying something unkind to you while you were feeling good, only to bring you down? The critical voices can also come from somewhere inside of you. Remember, the fight we really fight is one of spiritual warfare. One of the best defenses we have against a hurting world is to pour into ourselves spiritually. This is a process we must do every single day.

In a world riddled with pain, chaos, and uncertainty, the concept of self-love often feels countercultural or even selfish. Yet, from a biblical and God-centered perspective, self-love is not only vital but rooted in divine truth. Embracing who we are in Christ enables us to navigate a hurting world with grace, compassion, and resilience.

I have been in the modeling business for most of my life. Modeling is all about the latest trends, beauty, and the physical. Self love is sold from a marketing perspective every day to people as something that you have to purchase to make yourself feel better. As I began to meditate on this, God enlightened me to focus on His perspective versus the world. It’s not what you might think from all the ads out there promoting bubble baths, matcha, and massages. I am guilty of this trend and don’t get me wrong, engaging in self care is very important. Our bodies are temples, and we should strive to seek a life of balance. When we go too far one way or another, we can open a portal for Satan to come in and bring problems into our lives. But caring for the body is a tiny part when we consider all of the ways we develop self love.

• Self-love is the basis for loving other people

In Mark 12:31, Jesus commanded us to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Self-love gives us a healthy sense of self-worth

Through His word, God encourages self-respect and a healthy awareness of your value as a creation made in God's image.

• Caring for the body:

Your body is a temple. It is a place where the Holy Spirit resides and works through you to do great things. You are encouraged to nourish and care for it, not harm it. If you view your body as a temple of the Spirit, it might make you re-think what you are doing to care for it.

• Understanding the Difference between self-love and selfishness:

Self-love requires a healthy understanding of what it means to pour into oneself. But, just as with everything, there must be boundaries and discernment. Self-love should not be confused with selfishness, conceit, or putting yourself before others in a prideful way.

• The Dangers of Excessive Self-Focus:

In 1 Timothy 3:1-2, the Bible warns against being a "lover of self.” This is when we focus too much on our own needs, materialism, and so forth, and not enough on God and the needs of others. The root of this is discernment and balance.

Understanding Self-Love Through God's Eyes

In Genesis 1:27, The Bible teaches that we are created in the image of God. This foundational truth affirms our intrinsic worth and dignity. When we recognize that we are God's beloved children, it transforms our approach to ourselves from one of self-criticism to self-acceptance rooted in divine love.

Jesus' command in Mark 12:31 to "love your neighbor as yourself" implies that self-love for oneself is a must before we can genuinely love others. To truly care for others, we must first accept and care for ourselves — seeing ourselves through God's eyes rather than society's often distorted lens.

Self-Love as a Reflection of God's Grace

In today’s world, many people wrestle with feelings of inadequacy, shame, or guilt. The enemy tries to distort God's truth, whispering that we are unworthy or beyond redemption. However, God's grace reminds us that we are redeemed and valued. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."

Accepting God's grace allows us to view ourselves as His cherished creation. This acceptance fosters healthy self-love—acknowledging our flaws but refusing to let them define us. Instead, we see ourselves as works in progress, loved unconditionally by our Heavenly Father.

Healing Self-Love Amidst Pain

A world filled with hurt and pain often leads to wounds that can diminish our view of ourselves. Many people carry scars of rejection, loss, or trauma. In such moments, God's Word offers comfort and healing. Psalm 147:3 declares, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Embracing God's healing allows us to foster a compassionate self-love that acknowledges our pain while trusting in His restorative power. Recognizing our worth as God's children enables us to extend grace and patience to ourselves as we heal.

Practicing Self-Love in Godliness

We must be intentional about living our lives in self-love from a Godly perspective. We do this in the following ways:

Prayer and Reflection: Spending time in God's presence, asking Him to reveal His love and affirm your worth.

Scripture Meditation: Memorize and meditate on verses that affirm your identity in Christ.

Setting Boundaries: Protect your mental and spiritual health by establishing boundaries that honor God's design for your life.

Serving Others: Genuine self-love manifests in acts of kindness and service, reflecting God's love outwardly.

Forgiveness: Extend forgiveness to yourself and others, freeing yourself from bitterness and shame.

Embracing a Hope-Filled Identity

Self-love rooted in God's truth is about embracing the hope and purpose He offers. No matter the suffering or setbacks we face, God's love remains unwavering. Knowing that we are deeply loved by God empowers us to love ourselves rightly and extend that love to others.

In a hurting world, self-love is not selfish but sacrificial—grounded in the divine love of Christ that heals, restores, and renews. As we walk in this truth, we become beacons of hope, reflecting God's light in the darkness and encouraging others to discover their worth in Him.