5 Ways to Love Yourself the Way God Loves You

Learn to love yourself the way God loves you with these simple tips.

I heard all about self-care, but taking a bath or getting a manicure wasn’t really doing the trick. I needed to feel LOVED. And not loved by other people, but to truly feel loved by me.

It was so much easier to love other people. To love my kids or my husband. My parents or my friends. But me? That was another story. Maybe you can relate?

Here are 5 simple ways we can learn to love ourselves the way God loves us.

Be Gentle with Yourself

I was running late to pick my daughter up the other day. I hate being late and making someone wait. As I drove (behind a VERY slow car) I felt frustrated that I didn’t leave earlier, that I didn’t plan better, that I was making her wait.

But what if I was gentle with myself instead?

God isn’t overbearing and condemning with me, so why am I? He even tells us in one of my favorite verses:

I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:30, The Message

He wants us to keep company with Him and learn from Him. And His way is easy and light. Let’s try that.

Rest

I always told my kids that I’m a much happier mom when I get rest. Maybe that was an attempt to get them to nap or sleep later. But it was the truth. Rest is one of the foundations to me being the person I want to be. And it’s a simple way to show myself love.

Plus, God thought it was pretty important, devoting one whole day out of seven to rest!

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Mark 2:27, CSB

Get Outside

I never liked being outside as a kid. Actually, I take that back. There were two places I loved.

My mom and I lived in a tiny, tiny house before it was popular. While the house was tiny it did have a love yard and I loved being under the beautiful arbor with grape vines in my backyard when I was seven.

The other place I loved (still do) is a rocky shore. Those two places were mine. As an adult I am learning to embrace the beauty of being outdoors a few times a week. If you don’t love it now, just start small. Feel the fresh air. Find your place.

Laugh

There are a lot of things that feel serious right now. That’s why it’s essential to find things that bring you joy!

A joyful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs 17:22, CSB

Create a Holy Atmosphere

It’s easy for me to forget that I am designed by God and He lives in me. In the middle of work and laundry and parenting it’s easy to lose track of.

But what if we remembered that we house the Holy Spirit? That He lives IN us?

It doesn’t mean I don’t need to do the laundry but it does mean I can foster holiness around me. The simplest way? Play worship music.

Another great idea is to leave your Bible open where you see it throughout the day. (I usually use my kitchen counter.)

Whatever you can do to remind yourself of the holiness that You carry with You is a beautiful way to love yourself.

Loving yourself the way God love you is so much more than self-care. If you need practical help to learn how God loves you, I have a book just for you.

Worthy: Believe Who God Says You Are has short devotions that will help you finally believe that you are loved and you are worthy. Find out more here.

Connecting with great writers at the following linkups: Hello Monday, Inspire Me Monday, The Happy Now Blog Linkup, Tell His Story, Recharge Wednesday, InstaEncouragements, Tune In Thursday, Heart Encouragement, Friendship Friday, Grace & Truth, Grace at Home, Anything Goes.