The Tribune

By Allison Miller

WE talked about this topic before, however, it has come up again lately and I think it can be addressed again.

If you ask the average young person what it means to “love yourself”, you would probably get an answer like this: Do whatever you need to do to make yourself happy. “Ball yaself, eat and drink whatever ya want. Wear what ya want, clothes and shoes.”

The reason behind this is if you don’t know the meaning then no one else will. Therefore, I ask the question, does that really show you love yourself? Don’t get me wrong, it is a good thing to appreciate and reward yourself, however, that cannot be the foundation for an individual loving themselves. Another question I ask, how can you tell when a person loves themselves?

First of all, when a person loves themselves they will accept God’s love for us. What’s God’s love?

The Bible tells us that God loves us so much that Jesus died on Calvary’s cross for our sins. Acknowledging and accepting that is one of the best things we can do for ourselves. Secondly, another evidence of a person loving themselves is making quality investments in themselves. Investments such as pursuing higher education (you’re never too old to learn); looking after your health, eating as best you can and exercising. Taking care of your family, spending time with your children to teach them godly and moral principles are also signs of loving yourself.

Don’t allow the television to raise your children; that is part of our current crime problem.

Thirdly, you can tell a person loves themselves by the way they carry themselves, which is in a respectful manner. Because they respect themselves they will not allow anyone to talk or treat them just any kind of way. Things of value are important and given top priority. There are so many ways a person can “love him or herself”. It has to be more than just buying stuff for yourself and doing what you want to do when you want to do it.

Love for oneself goes deeper than what I have shared. Let’s take the time to examine and really test to see if we really love ourselves. Keep in mind that love starts with God. He is the perfect example of what love is.