Love your neighbour as yourself
But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13; NIV).
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51: 17; NRSV).
Humility is the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 22:4; NIV).
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12; NIV).
Love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:39; NIV).
Father,
I don’t love myself.
I criticise myself all the time
For being weak, useless and unlikable,
For constantly failing you.
But is this what you want?
Is low self-esteem
the same
As having a humble, contrite spirit?
I need to know, Lord,
Because I’d never talk
To anyone else
The way I talk to myself.
In any case,
How can I truly love and encourage others,
When I find it so hard
To love and encourage myself?
Surely there must be
A happier, healthier way to live
Than constantly putting myself down
And feeling bad about myself?
Lord, I fall short of your commands
In every possible way.
I do my best,
But I’m only human.
Help me to relate to myself
With the compassion, kindness,
Humility, gentleness and patience
You give to me.
Then I will truly be able
To love my neighbour as myself.