By Joyce Meyer
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony” (Col. 3:14, NLT).
Love is the highest level of spiritual warfare. We are to “wear” it like a garment or even armor. That’s why it’s so important to learn to love like the Bible says to: on purpose. But there are so many angry, wounded, unhappy people in the world. Angry people cannot love others because they don’t love themselves—and you can’t give away something you don’t have.
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I understand there are numerous reasons for people’s pain. Many times people have been mistreated, many from their childhood into adult life. I’ve shared my story openly about how my father abused me sexually from a young age. I grew to believe that it must be my fault—that there was something wrong with me that made him do that. I became ashamed, embarrassed and angry about my life. I didn’t like myself, much less love myself.
How I felt about myself became a major part of how I acted and treated others. Even though I gave my life to Jesus when I was very young, it was years before I began to comprehend the power of God’s love. So I understand that hurting people hurt people.
What I had to learn—and most of us have to learn—was to love myself. You need to first receive God’s love, then learn to love yourself in a balanced way before you can truly love your neighbor as yourself. So, learn to love what God loves: you.
God’s love will change you and make you a happier, kinder, more generous person.
’m reminded of a story about a young boy who came to his mother and presented her with his “bill” for chores he’d done around the house that week. For cutting the grass, $5; for cleaning his room, $1; for running to the store, $.50, $1 for taking out the garbage; $5 for a good report card; and he continued until he gave her the grand total of $14.75.
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