1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
You are called to love you. Yes, love you! Love starts with you. You cannot extend loving kindness to anyone else unless you extend it to yourself first. How do you love yourself? What do you expect of yourself? How do you expect to be treated by you? Do you have a firm understanding of what behavior is acceptable and what is not?
The enemy wants you to believe you must put others first. He wants you to think taking care of yourself emotionally is selfish. The enemy loves abandonment. He wants you to feel abandoned by God and abandoned by others. But the first person he wants you to feel abandoned by is you. You can’t support anyone or give love to anyone unless you have it for yourself. If the enemy can destroy your relationship with you his job becomes much easier. He wants to make you an enemy to yourself. He enjoys seeing you angry, depressed, anxious, helpless, confused and afraid.
God calls you to love yourself and support yourself. He wants you to stand firm, be brave, and loving with yourself. Loving yourself looks like vows, vows with you. Enter a covenant with yourself. One that says I got your back, I am here to support you, and I will never leave you.
For better, for worse, in sickness, and in health, for richer or poorer, I promise to pursue gentle kindness, positive thoughts and a firm relationship with God, with you and for you.
I am all in. When you have a bad day, I won’t make it worse by picking the day apart with horrible self-talk.
When you make a mistake, I will learn from it and move on.
When I find there is toxic person in your life I will support you in ending that relationship.
I will not hold on to the past, bring up painful memories and replay them in your mind over and over.
I promise to be true to you. When things get bad and you struggle I will not fuel the struggle with stories of doom.
I will be honest and transparent about who you are, but not put you down.
I will face each day with a positive attitude. I vow to love you, honor you and do what is best for you. Each morning I will look in the mirror, love and cherish what I see and be grateful for the person looking back.
I promise not to abandon you.
I am committed to self-growth. I will recognize when your behavior is judgmental and punishing towards you. I will get the help needed when needed.
I support you in saying no. You don't have to do it all.
I will be patient and forgiving.
I will be aware of when you’re tired, you have taken on too much, and it is time to rest.
I will be here for you, take care of you, and not look to others for love that I have not been able to give you. Instead I will continue to work on loving you and filling that gap.
You will be my person. I will pray with you, affirm you and be committed to God with you. I will show up for you.
Your vow is a vow not just to you, but to God as well. You are vowing to be loving and kind to His child, you. Your vow worships God. He adores you. You can’t do it alone. With Him all things are possible.
Prayer
Father God
Thank you for calling me to love me. Thank for Your ever present love and kindness. Forgive me for the times I neglect to be loving and kind to myself. Forgive me for taking my relationship with myself for granted. Help me to be present for me. May I recognize when i have taken on too much and when it is time to say no. When things get tough may I not abandon me, but turn to my vows and be reminded of my commitment to myself and to You. May I start each morning giving love to the person in the mirror and affirming all that is good so I can face the day supported and positive.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Comments