A friend loves at all times. (Proverbs 17:17)
Recently, I was reflecting on some healing I have seen in my personal journey and thinking about how much anxiety in my life has been caused and exacerbated by negative self-talk. As I thought over the past season, areas I’ve grown and ways I want to continue growing, I felt the familiar voice of God within urging me… “It’s time to befriend yourself.”
What kind of friend are you? How do you show up for the people you love? How do you support them and encourage them? Are there people in your life that you love past their flaws? Do you extend the same kindness to yourself?
Do you define yourself by your strengths or your weaknesses?
Do you constantly criticize yourself?
Do you hyperfocus on your weaknesses and mistakes?
Do you downplay your strengths?
Do you love yourself with all your unique characteristics and quirks?
Do you readily give yourself grace, compassion, and space to grow?
Do you disqualify yourself?
Do you enjoy your own company?
Do you believe you deserve happiness, love, and all the good things?
What kind of friend have you been to yourself?
In this season of sunshine and beach days, let’s take a moment to reflect on the ways we are going to choose to be a better friend to ourselves. Maybe it’s time to extend some of the kindness you readily extend to others towards yourself.
Indulge in self-care.
Treat yourself to the finer things in life.
Speak love and positive affirmations over yourself.
Learn from your mistakes and weaknesses and move on.
Don’t dwell on your mistakes.
Don’t allow the voice of fear or self-criticism to create stories about you and define you.
Don’t believe you are anything less than God says you are.
Choose to believe that all of God’s promises are for you.
Believe that you are amazing, flaws and all.
Know that we are all human, make mistakes, and have weird things about us.
Allow yourself to love and enjoy life.
Root for yourself.
Be on your own team.
Befriend you.
