“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

We know that an admirable quality is being kind to others. But have you ever thought about being kind to yourself?

Honestly, I really hadn’t until a few weeks ago.

I was allowing adverse thoughts to have their way with me, and they were not producing life and peace. Then one day, this thought occurred to me: “You would be kind and compassionate to others. You would forgive others. Why not be kind to yourself? Don’t allow these thoughts to rob your peace and joy!”

I mean, I’ve always known God loves me. I’ve “known” the verse that says the greatest commandment is to love God and the second greatest is to love others as I love myself. But “knowing” something and “living” it are quite different. God really wants me to love myself! Not in a selfish way where I put myself above others, but I should love others AS (at the same time, in the same way) as I love myself.

It seems like a simple thought, but it’s been profound to me and increased my quality of life. A small change in trajectory can create a big difference in destination. Peace or anxiety? Gratitude or regret? Hope or despair? Judgment or mercy?

Be kind to yourself

Give mercy and grace

As you would to others,

Be kind to yourself.

Matthew 22:37, Ephesians 4:32, 2 Timothy 2:24, Galatians 5:22, Colossians 3:12-13, Philippians 4:8-9.

These are troubling times—something I think everyone, regardless of political affiliation, would agree. It is all too easy to allow frustration, anxiety, fearful, grief, (and more) to take up residence in our minds.

I woke up at 3:00 this morning. Thoughts quickly pounced into my brain about the troubling state of things in our country. I finally began to pray. And then this word from Jesus came to mind: “Don’t let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1) Within moments my heart settled into peace as my faith in Him rose.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)

Oh, how I love His word! I have been reading Psalm 119 all week. It is the longest chapter in the Bible, and filled with so many references to the power of God’s Word. His Word is to be our delight, our declaration, our meditation. In return, it will be our strength, our direction, our peace.

I love Psalm 119:14-16: “ I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and keep my eyes on Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.”

Look how many times “I” and “I will” is used. I have to purposefully do some things!

Psalm 119:165 says: “Those who love Your law have great peace….”

Isaiah 26:3-4 says: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock.”

Keeping my thoughts on Him (because I trust in Him) is my part. The result is perfect peace.

“Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. Do those things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

Honestly, this command is no small feat! But the resulting peace is worth it!

“For the word of God is alive, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

“Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, and above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17)

The Bible, the Word of God, is not just a book. It is our source of faith, comfort, peace, direction, instruction. It is also a spiritual weapon!

[Note: I write this to Jesus-followers. Christians. Those who have confessed Jesus as Lord according to Romans 10:9-10, 13: “… If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…. For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Upon this confession you are “saved” from eternal damnation (John 3:16) and your spirit is made new and alive unto God. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Then you can begin the process of “renewing your mind” (Romans 12:1-2), that is, putting His Word into your heart by reading and obeying it, by letting His words take preeminence over your old way of thinking. This part is a lifelong process!]