Maximizing The Healing
“My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” Psalm 42:3
Self-hatred is a terrible experience. It’s been said, “The hardest part of shaving every day is looking at the man in the mirror.” For those who struggle with self-hatred, that daily encounter with self can be very painful. So what are we to do if we find ourselves hating who we are?
I think the greatest thing we can do is look upward before we look inward! The God who took on flesh was crushed physically, emotionally, and spiritually so we can be redeemed.
The Holy Spirit has chosen to dwell within you, never to leave or forsake you, even in your worst failures. God does not make mistakes! Think about it, God willingly embraced a profound cost in order to be in fellowship with us. Doesn’t that count for something in our lives?
So once we have lifted our eyes to Christ, we can ask the hard question: Why do I hate myself? Is it because of what someone has done to us or because of what we have done to others? Self-hatred often arises in relation to sin! Sometimes it’s the fruit of being sinned against; sometimes it's the result of sin that we have committed.
If we are carrying the weight of someone else’s sin against us, the only path forward is forgiveness. Forgiveness is often slow and costly, yet we are called to do it. Words spoken like, “You are worthless” or "I hate you" can lodge deep in the soul. Yet to continue granting those voices authority is to give them power they do not deserve. Forgiveness does not mean minimizing the harm, but it does mean maximizing the healing by way of the cross.
Even as you read this, the Holy Spirit may be pressing on your conscience, and that discomfort is the beginning of your healing! Satan tells us that forgiveness is unnecessary or that it can be done tomorrow or next week! Both are lies. True repentance humbles pride, cleanses the conscience, and restores joy. Forgiving others and yourself is painful but it's full of promises that can bring sweetness to the soul and worthiness to our thoughts.
Self-hatred is a deeply penetrating feeling. Keep in mind that your feelings can alert you to truth – truth that Jesus said can set YOU free in many ways! Self-hatred can come from lingering sin, a suffering conscience, or from crippling shame.
When the heart falters, we must lean on God’s word to us and our worship to Him! We must never be intimidated to cry out and sing out in times of confusion and chaos. But for sure, as we walk with God through the valley of pain and suffering, our hearts often follow where our faith leads us!
Pressing On Together,
Pastor Dave
Self-hatred is a terrible experience. It’s been said, “The hardest part of shaving every day is looking at the man in the mirror.” For those who struggle with self-hatred, that daily encounter with self can be very painful. So what are we to do if we find ourselves hating who we are?
I think the greatest thing we can do is look upward before we look inward! The God who took on flesh was crushed physically, emotionally, and spiritually so we can be redeemed.
The Holy Spirit has chosen to dwell within you, never to leave or forsake you, even in your worst failures. God does not make mistakes! Think about it, God willingly embraced a profound cost in order to be in fellowship with us. Doesn’t that count for something in our lives?
So once we have lifted our eyes to Christ, we can ask the hard question: Why do I hate myself? Is it because of what someone has done to us or because of what we have done to others? Self-hatred often arises in relation to sin! Sometimes it’s the fruit of being sinned against; sometimes it's the result of sin that we have committed.
If we are carrying the weight of someone else’s sin against us, the only path forward is forgiveness. Forgiveness is often slow and costly, yet we are called to do it. Words spoken like, “You are worthless” or "I hate you" can lodge deep in the soul. Yet to continue granting those voices authority is to give them power they do not deserve. Forgiveness does not mean minimizing the harm, but it does mean maximizing the healing by way of the cross.
Even as you read this, the Holy Spirit may be pressing on your conscience, and that discomfort is the beginning of your healing! Satan tells us that forgiveness is unnecessary or that it can be done tomorrow or next week! Both are lies. True repentance humbles pride, cleanses the conscience, and restores joy. Forgiving others and yourself is painful but it's full of promises that can bring sweetness to the soul and worthiness to our thoughts.
Self-hatred is a deeply penetrating feeling. Keep in mind that your feelings can alert you to truth – truth that Jesus said can set YOU free in many ways! Self-hatred can come from lingering sin, a suffering conscience, or from crippling shame.
When the heart falters, we must lean on God’s word to us and our worship to Him! We must never be intimidated to cry out and sing out in times of confusion and chaos. But for sure, as we walk with God through the valley of pain and suffering, our hearts often follow where our faith leads us!
Pressing On Together,
Pastor Dave
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