The older I get, the more I realize that I am my harshest critic!  Oh sure, I put that critical nature on others, thinking that they are “judging me” when in reality they don’t actually notice my faults, at least not nearly as much as I do myself.  If I am to be honest, I have to admit that most of my stress is self-induced.

That being said, I want to encourage you to consider making this 2016 resolution: love yourself.  We talk a lot about loving God (with all your heart, soul, mind and strength – Mark 12:30).  We also talk a lot about loving neighbor.  But we often forget to include what Jesus includes in that command to love neighbor: “as yourself” (Mark 12:31).  We skip over that like it is some sort of “Duh!”  Scholars can unpack this better than I, but on the cusp of the New Year, I’m thinking that—at least for me—this means that I need to love myself.  And loving one’s self means cutting yourself some slack, giving yourself a break, at least in many respects.  Not the least of which is in your self-criticism.  Constructive criticism is one thing, but most of my self-criticism is NOT constructive.  I suspect the same may be true for you.  Most of my self-criticism is just plain condemnation: “You are fat!”  “That was stupid!”  “How could you be feeling that way?!”  And so on.

How about this year, 2016, we all resolve to stop speaking condemnation into our own spirits?  How about we read Romans 8:1 and claim its truth:  “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”?  Or, how about we personalize the verse:  “There is therefore now no condemnation for fill in your name, who is in Christ Jesus”?  How about we love ourselves?

After all, how can we love our neighbors (as ourselves) if we don’t love ourselves?  So, love God. Love neighbor. And love yourself.

Therefore, be it resolved!

Happy New Year.

Pastor Glen