Day #117 in A Year of Positivity

“You carry so much love in your heart. Give some to yourself.”—Unknown

When this quote jumped off the screen at me, I knew it’d be the perfect selection for today’s post: “You carry so much love in your heart. Give some to yourself.” For as long as I can remember, I have worn my heart on my sleeve for everyone I love and care about. In some ways, I still do, and always will, because that’s an integral part of who I am. However, the Lord has shown me a lot over these last three years regarding what it means to have boundaries and to take some time to love myself, too.

Seeking validation and approval from everyone else regarding my value and self-worth did me no favors. After so many years of living with this mindset, it finally burned me out and left my love tank running on empty. When I didn’t get the validation and approval from others, despite how much love I’d given, I felt like I wasn’t worthy. I felt like I wasn’t good enough for them, and this happened more often than I care to admit. However, when my mind and heart were at their most vulnerable time after my dad’s passing, the Lord worked on my mind and my heart, little by little.

The Lord showed me the true meaning of love in its purest form through Jesus in how He saved the world and interacted with it. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” This quote from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is vital, foundational, and so incredibly beautiful.

You want to show love like this to the people you care deeply for, and when you do, it will amaze you just how strong those relationships will be. It’s essential to give this kind of love to yourself, too. You cannot love others without loving yourself first. In its purest form, this love grounds us, keeps us humble, and brings so much joy, peace, and strength. When you can love yourself like this, as Abba loves you, you won’t need to seek validation and approval from others, as you’ll have created your own source of peace, happiness, and strength that no human can steal from you.