Loving Yourselves
Scripture:“You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13, 14). Here is the “surprise” from yesterday’s lesson: The reference point for loving others is to love—get ready—yourself! “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But it’s not easy. Some confuse loving themselves with a chocolate binge or a designer watch they can’t afford, just to feel good! But rewards from self-indulgence can be fleeting. Some have difficulty loving themselves because of intense feelings of inferiority: “I’ll never be like her!” “I can never measure up!” They compare themselves with others, a practice called “unwise” by the Apostle Paul (see 2 Corinthians 10:12). Still others disparage themselves because of serious mistakes they have made, or sins that have held them captive. They’ve yet to discover God’s remedy, that He graciously releases us from the burdens of the past when we ask for and receive His forgiven...