What if I don’t like who I am? | June 05, 2026

I've been thinking about Jesus' words that we should "love our neighbor as ourselves" - but what if you struggle to love yourself? What if you don't like who you are, how you look, or the circumstances life has dealt you? Does that give us a loophole when it comes to loving others? Here's what I've discovered: Jesus isn't asking us to love ourselves in that self-focused way. He's inviting us to love what He's doing in our lives - the new creation He's making us into, the old things passing away, the promises becoming reality through His Spirit. When I look in the mirror, I can say "God, I love what you're doing in my life. I love the person you're making me into." The beautiful thing is this: when you start loving what Christ is doing in your life, you suddenly see your neighbors with different eyes. You see what they could become. You start wanting God to do for them what He's done for you - freedom from addiction, wholeness for their family, a new mind and heart and future. It's no longer religion speaking "thou shalt not" - it becomes "have you considered what God can do in your life?" I didn't love life when I was young, but I do now. I love the work of God, and when you discover that love, loving your neighbor as yourself becomes not just possible, but natural.