When someone says, “you are loved,” how do you respond? I’ll go first. There was a time when I would immediately start thinking of my flaws. I can’t keep up. I’m too quiet. I’m certainly not trendy enough. I’m not as engaging as she is. The flawed thoughts would go on and on. That was then. I am so glad for now, though. Through much walking in the depths with Jesus on my own personal journey, I now know the value of loving myself. It’s the royal law of love that God desires for us all.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

James 2:8

Royal. What a word with such depth! I imagine a royal wedding with beautiful, sparkly gowns and everyone celebrating a day of honor. While a royal wedding is captivating, the royal law of God is forever sealed with an unfailing love that outshines everything else.

The royal law calls us to a life of love. The One with the crown of splendor has adopted us as His. I have to pause and ask myself, am I resting in the identity of love?

Loving ourselves can be hard sometimes. The God of love, the One who created you, wants you to know love. We’re to love our neighbor, and if you’re like me, you probably enjoy helping others. When we help, we’re engaging in love. But what if we do not love ourselves?

If we don’t value and love who we’re created to be by our Maker, we risk not loving our neighbors well.

Imagine you’ve been invited to the royal wedding I mentioned earlier. You’re full of excitement and joy when you hear you’ve been invited until the flawed thoughts come. I know I’d be thinking, ‘I don’t have the name, poise, or trendiness to go.’ Here’s the truth – Whether you attend wearing all the sparkly things or not, the love of the Father shows no favoritism. We all belong to His royal and noble name. He invites us to His love time and time again. You’re invited, and so is your neighbor. We’re all invited.

I want to love my neighbor so much better, don’t you? When my neighbor, who looks so much more put together than me, sits down next to me at that royal wedding, I want to compliment them kindly.

Do I love my neighbor well? As I ask that, I also have to pause and look within to ensure I love myself well. May we speak words of affirmation not only over our friends but ourselves, too. Love will expand as we first love ourselves.

May we declare confidently and bravely over ourselves that we are . . .

Loved. Capable. Valuable. Invited. Kind. Giving. Beautiful.

Declare and believe with me, friends. There is so much value in loving yourself first. As you do, you will love your neighbors well.