Courageous Disciples, Week 4, Day 5

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John 15:12-17

“Love one another the way I have loved you.” It’s a simple, profound commandment. It’s so simple, in fact,  that many of us miss what is required to love one another.

You can begin to love another person when you know you are loved, love yourself, and experience the love of God found in Jesus. The first and last forms of love may come easy. For some, loving yourself can be a journey – a hard, long journey.

Today’s a great day to practice.

“Love one another the way I have loved you.”

Did you hear what Jesus just said to you?

Jesus said, “I love you.”

You are loved by God.

Today, practice receiving the love you so freely give to others.

When you feel inadequate or fail at something you attempt to do, don’t beat yourself up. This may have happened during one of the “Respond” challenges for this study. Would you ever say to someone you love, “You’re so stupid, how could you do that?” No. The thought wouldn’t cross your mind. So tell me this: why do you talk to yourself that way?

Instead, practice self-compassion. Name the current circumstances around you, call out the emotions you’re feeling, and remind yourself not to be so hard on yourself.

After all, you are God’s beloved.

Reflect

Do you talk to yourself the way you’d talk to someone you love?

Respond

Practice talking to yourself the way you talk to someone you love. (And don’t even begin to pretend you don’t talk to yourself. You do. It’s time to practice self-compassion in the midst of the self-talk.)

Pray