True Self-Love: What Does It Mean to Love Yourself?

This post answers the controversial question: What does it mean to love yourself? If you’re a Christian woman who struggles with self-acceptance — you might be seeking guidance on how to love yourself — TRULY love yourself. And that’s exactly what I’m here to help you with! 😊

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Have you ever felt like you’re just not good enough?

Like, no matter how hard you try, you can’t silence the negative thoughts and stop feeling bad about yourself. 

Yup, me too… 🙋🏻‍♀️

I can 100% relate. Because from a very young age, I struggled to see my own value through God’s eyes.

And with God’s grace, I found my way through it.

So I’m here to give you some good news, my beautiful friend — THERE’S HOPE!

But before we get into that…

Why Is Self-Love Important? It’s important you understand that self-love is fundamental for your mental health and emotional well-being.

Loving yourself is not a superficial-vain thing — but a necessity — a foundational aspect of living as God intends.

When you start loving yourself, you’ll notice how much more confident and calm you feel. It makes managing your relationships smoother and you’ll have more loving thoughts. You’ll worry less and smile more — you’ll accept and enjoy life as the wonderful person you are 💝

Let’s explore… “What does it mean to love yourself?” Why is it necessary, and how can you start this transformative journey of self-love TODAY? Trust me, learning to fully accept and love yourself is the first step towards living your best life in Christ!

What Does It Mean To Love Yourself?

So, what does loving yourself look like?

Well…

Self-love means taking loving actions that nurture your mind, body, and spirit and contribute to your overall well-being.

Loving yourself means recognizing your worth as a daughter of God, embracing your uniqueness, and treating yourself with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

LOVING YOURSELF MEANS GETTING TO KNOW THE YOU GOD CREATED!

How to Love Yourself

3 Loving Actions You Can Take to Practice Self-Love

Let’s jump right into the first — and probably most important — step or act of self-love…

1. Set Boundaries

When you set boundaries, you’re drawing a line that helps you say no when needed so you’re not always stretched too thin. Emotional boundaries are super important! Because when you learn to say no, you respect your own needs (without feeling guilty). This way, you’re not overcommitting, and you can look after the needs of others with intention and love.

I feel like we need to pause here for a moment because, as Christians, our greatest commandments are to love God and love others. So, you might ask yourself…

“How can I say no when I’m supposed to love?”

Here’s the thing…

There’s a fine line between being consumed by your insecurities (lack of self-love) and being obsessed with yourself — in both cases, your heart is caught up with “ME.” You become your idol and you struggle to offer selfless love or live entirely for God’s glory (another commandment).

And that’s precisely why my focus on self-love isn’t about placing worth on who you are, what you look like, or what skills or talents you have, but on Whose you are — His beloved and precious daughter.

By setting these boundaries, you’re not just protecting your time and energy — you’re actively practicing self-love, which is crucial to understanding what it truly means to love yourself.

Ok, now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on to another great way to practice self-love, shall we? 😊

2. Practice Gratitude

Start each day with a simple yet powerful practice: gratitude. Take a moment to reflect on what you’re thankful for. This isn’t just a nice thing to do — it can literally shift your mood and help you focus on what God is doing in your life. 

When you recognize the good, it can dramatically boost your spirits and alter your perspective. It helps you appreciate the blessings around you, big or small 💝

Practicing gratitude daily is a foundational step in embracing what it means to truly love yourself.

Gratitude Journal

Try keeping a gratitude journal. 

Here’s a simple way to start…

1. Choose a Journal: Pick a special notebook that you’ll enjoy using daily.
2. Set a Routine: Write at the same time every day, like in the morning or before bed.
3. Write Freely: Each day, list three things you’re thankful for, no matter how big or small.
4. Reflect: Look back at your entries occasionally to remind yourself of all the good in your life, especially during tough times.
5. Pray: End your journaling by thanking God for these blessings and recognizing His presence in all parts of your day.

Journaling doesn’t just make you feel good — it also deepens your faith and helps you feel more connected to your life.

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30-Day Digital Self-Love Journal

Grab your “30-Day Digital Self-Love Journal” and begin your life-transforming journey toward self-acceptance and embrace your identity as a cherished daughter of God TODAY!

I NEED THIS!

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3. Loving-Kindness Meditation

Loving-kindness meditation might sound a little unconventional if you haven’t tried it before, but it’s incredibly impactful!

Here’s what it’s about…

In the Bible, meditation means deeply thinking about God’s Word and His promises. Christian meditation focuses on filling our minds with Scripture, not emptying them as in some Eastern traditions. 

You might meditate on a specific Bible verse, pray about it, or listen to worship music that highlights its message.

Here’s an example…

You could focus on God’s love for us, as mentioned in 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” 

Reflect on this unconditional love, then ask God that you feel it toward yourself and spread it to others. Pray for peace and joy for yourself, your family, friends, and even those you find challenging to love — ask God to help you see them as Christ does. 

Loving-kindness meditation strengthens your Christian walk and helps you align your heart more closely with God’s command to love others.

💖 Explore Related Posts 💖

1. The Top 10 Self-Limiting Beliefs That Hold You Back
2. The Christian Woman’s Guide to Self-Care
3. 86 Beautiful Bible Verses About Identity in Christ

What Does it Mean to Love Yourself According to the Bible?

Biblical self-love means recognizing yourself as a unique and precious creation of God, inherently worthy of love and care. 

Take a look at these powerful Scriptures that speak to this truth…

Genesis 1:27  “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Psalm 139:14  “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well…”

Ephesians 2:10  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

1 Peter 2:9  “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Zephaniah 3:17  “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

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Reading and studying God’s word is THE BEST WAY to improve self-love. Silence those self-defeating thoughts by replacing them with what the Bible says about you. Affirming God’s truths OUT LOUD can change how you see yourself. It helps quiet that mean little voice inside and reminds you that, in Christ, you’re relentlessly loved — your worth is invaluable — and you are incredibly special!

💖 Recommended Resources 💖

30-Day Digital Self-Love Journal

Check out all of the FREE Body Image Related Resources here!

Next Steps…

How to Love Yourself

Starting to love yourself more can be simple and makes a significant difference in how you feel about yourself!

Choose any of these self-love practices. You can easily incorporate it into your daily routine to begin taking small steps in your own journey to self-love.

1. Positive Self-Talk: Swap out negative self-talk with Bible-based positive affirmations.
2. Mindful Eating: Enjoy the taste of your food and add nourishment. 
3. Rest & Relaxation: Get enough sleep and do things you enjoy, like listening to music, soaking in a bath, or dancing.
4. Recognize Your Value: Remember, you don’t have to do anything to earn your worth — you’re worth is in your identity as a daughter of God!
5. Social Media Usage: Too much scrolling can make you feel down and mess with how you see yourself.
6. Self-Care: Being kind to yourself and practicing self-compassion helps cultivate a loving relationship with yourself. 

These might seem small, but they’re powerful steps on your journey to self-love.

I hope I thoroughly answered the question, “What does it mean to love yourself?” I can’t wait to hear how God uses this post in your life! Always feel free to reach out to me here.

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Deep Questions About Self-Love