MOVING FORWARD ◽ ENCOURAGEMENT
Self-Kindness
by Pam Charro
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate…
Most of us are probably familiar with this Bible verse, but was this command only intended to be our attitude toward others? I suspect not. Am I kind and compassionate toward myself as well? Ouch.
Someone I work with said to me,
"If you aren't giving kindness to yourself, you're just faking it with others."
That hit hard! I thought, What does HE know? I'm always being told that I'm kind! Of course it's normal to be harder on myself than I am on others!
But the more I thought about it, the more I saw the wisdom in his words. Whatever is going on in my inner world is bound to come out. I can't pour kindness from an empty pitcher ... I had better start improving in self-kindness.
But how? I had very little knowledge of how it looks to be compassionate toward myself. Most of the time, I didn't even realize I was bloody and beaten until I had already been self-flagellating for hours. I would show up for time with God, sad and exhausted, and he would kindly remind me of who he says I am so I could cry out my self-inflicted poison. I am now learning how to take those thoughts captive before they have such free reign in ruining my day.
It hasn't been easy or natural, but…
God has graciously led me to a Bible-believing trauma therapist who is giving me amazing tools in self-awareness and growth.
I have found many Bible verses on how greatly valued and enjoyed I am by God, and I speak them out loud no matter how I feel.
I also spend time with God, often without an agenda, just so I can be around healing. He is so patient and faithful as I continue moving forward.
The more I know him and spend time with him, the more I become like him.
What would I say to a dear friend who is suffering? What would God say to me? I know the answer to these questions. May I continue to grow in saying these things to myself.