Loving Yourself as God Loves You: The Foundation for True Love

What if the key to understanding true love lies in learning to love ourselves the way God loves us?

In my 20 years of practice in the mental health field, I often encounter individuals with a distorted view of love. Many express sentiments like, “I love you more than I love myself,” which, though seemingly romantic, highlights an imbalance. True love, as Alan Cohen suggests, starts with recognizing our inherent worth. He writes, “If you knew you were fully loved…your anxiety would disappear.”

In the Apostolic life, Jesus teaches us to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31), implying that genuine love for others must first stem from a healthy love for ourselves. When we embrace God’s unwavering love for us, we begin to see ourselves as He does—worthy, whole, and loved. This understanding frees us to love others authentically and without reservation, grounded in the secure foundation of divine love.

In a world filled with distractions and conflicting ideologies, living in alignment with Apostolic values can often feel like navigating a complex maze. "Your Values, Your Choices: A Guide to Apostolic Living" is a beacon of clarity, offering practical wisdom for individuals seeking to weave their faith into the fabric of their daily lives. This article isn't merely a collection of rules; it's an invitation to embrace a lifestyle that resonates with your deepest beliefs, leading to a life filled with purpose, joy, and spiritual fulfillment.

The phrase “shall offend” (Matthew 18:6) is derived from the Greek word skandalizo (Strong’s G4625) from which we derive the word “scandal.” It means to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way; to entice to sin; to cause one to fall away.

If I were to write a letter to my younger self, I’d remind him that despite the many different cultures and walks of life that abound on this Earth, humanity has shared experiences and emotions that bind us together. Furthermore, when approached with an open mind, exposure to cultural differences can create rich opportunities for hope and resiliency to bloom even in tragic loss.