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Probably the best way to love ourselves is through forgiveness; asking God for forgiveness, asking others for forgiveness, and probably most difficult, receiving forgiveness.
When we are forgiven or extend forgiveness relationship is restored with those we forgive and with those who forgive us; most importantly with God. Restoring our relationship with God is the best way we could ever love ourselves.
I recently came across some thoughts on forgiveness which I have copied below:-
Recognition of selfishness (wrong doing)
1. Perhaps the hardest part – admit that we have wronged
2. As long as we fail to see our selfishness – we will not repent
3. We must be aware of selfishness and its eternal consequence
Remorse – Grieving over our wrong
1. There must be sorrow, regret
Resolve to make a change
1. Repent: from Greek word meaning "to change one's mind"
2. Determine a new course of action; a change of direction
3. Repentance begins with a decision, a choice
Reformation – Doing things different from the past
1. One can not repent and keep living the same lifestyle
3. Isaiah 55:7 – Let the wicked abandon the old ways of life Restitution where possible
1. To fully repent we must restore as much as we can
2. Some wrong may not be "undoable"
3. Where we can we must restore, replace
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