From the archives of Oral Roberts
I once received a letter from a young girl who was struggling with feelings of self-worth. She said, “Brother Roberts, I hate myself, and I feel that other people hate me too. I wish I could do something to change my negative self-image, but I honestly don’t believe I can. My life is miserable.”
It just tore me up to read that letter. And what really saddened me was knowing that she was only one of many people who don’t know how important it is for them to love themselves, for until we love ourselves, we cannot truly love anyone else. Jesus said, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Mark 12:31).
If you’re struggling with feelings of self-hatred, one of the best ways I know to start loving yourself is to see yourself the way God sees you. You are His masterpiece…the crowning glory of His creation. He gave His only begotten Son to die for you. You’re the apple of God’s eye. That’s how God sees you. You are so precious to Him that He is always thinking about you, looking after you, and watching everything that concerns you. In Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV God says, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you…thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
When you get down on yourself, remember that God loves you and He promises never to leave you or forsake you. Despite how you may feel right now, remember that you have a wonderful God-given will. And you can will to believe what God’s Word says…that God loves you and that you are special and irreplaceable.
Today, through Jesus, you can stand up on the inside, agree with the Word of God, accept the love God has for you, and be set free.