Experiencing the Wild Love of God (Prayers & Declarations)
So many people deal with self-hatred—and they have no idea.
They don’t recognize what’s happening inside them. But the self-hatred is there and it’s causing them problems.
Do YOU find it easy to love yourself? Why or why not? What do you think is the truth of God concerning who you are and how He made you?
Here are a few thoughts meant to help you see the truth about Jesus’ heart for you. You aren’t an embarrassment or a “burden” to Him—He loves who you are and the special way He made you.
A Prayer for Love
As you go through this devotion today, if you run into any points that are difficult for you to believe, take them to Jesus and ask Him what He thinks. You can pray a simple prayer like this one:
Jesus, I’m having trouble believing this about Your love for me: ________________. What are You saying to me about this? Please open up my ears and my heart so I can really start to know how much You love me.
God’s Heart for You Is Much, Much Stronger Than Your Weak Places
God knows you have weak places—shortcomings, fears, etc.—but He doesn’t look at these things and say, “Wow, you really need to clean yourself up. I’m sorry, but I just can’t be seen with you until then.”
That isn’t how the Lord thinks. Instead, He has a way of drawing close and covering all your weaknesses with the blood of Jesus. It’s okay that you have struggles and can’t offer God a “perfect” heart, without any blemishes.
In fact, you can use your weak places like a map or a pair of glasses—something that helps you see God and His power more clearly.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Cor. 12:9 NIV)
If you have trouble loving yourself because of your shortcomings or failures, read these statements aloud as declarations:
God thinks of me with compassion (Hos. 11:8).
He delights in me (Zeph. 3:17).
I am His choice (Col. 3:12).
He is the One who comforts me when I need it (2 Cor. 1:3–4).
I take after Him. He’s my Father (1 John 3:1).
When I’m weak, I’m actually strong because of Jesus (2 Cor. 12:10).
Experiencing the wild love of God: Spend a few minutes with Jesus and write down what you feel He speaks to your heart during that time. Remember, God’s voice sounds like Him—it’s full of love, comfort, peace, and abundant life. It will strengthen you and heal you.
Train Yourself to Think Outside the Box
Do you feel like you won’t be able to really relax until your life finally looks a certain way?
A lot of people fall into the trap of assuming that their lives need to look like something or they themselves need to be something. And until whatever that is happens, they’re struggling and not quite “enough.”
But God doesn’t think the way the world thinks. What He’s doing with you is outside every box! His imagination—the things He dreams up and what He considers to be possible—is far beyond anything you could ever come up with on your own. It is free of all the lies found in the world, and it’s filled with mystery and excitement and truth.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him. (Dan. 2:22)
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jer. 33:3)
If you feel like you won’t be good enough for God until your life looks a certain way, consider the following points. Read them aloud as declarations:
The Lord loves me even at my worst (Rom. 5:8).
Even when I’m afraid or struggling with despair, the Lord sees me as I really am (Judg. 6:11–14).
He has good plans for me (Jer. 29:11).
I am at peace with God (Rom. 5:1).
Because of Jesus, I am holy (1 Pet. 2:9).
When I choose to trust Him, I am unshakeable. Nothing can move me (Ps. 125:1).
Experiencing the wild love of God: Spend a few minutes with God and ask Him what He sees when He looks at you. A thought or picture might come to you; you might remember a Bible verse—God speaks in many different ways. Write down what He says, even if it seems “too big” for you or too good to be true.
Interested in more? Check out some of our other posts: