How to Learn to Love Ourselves as Christians

[Rachie]

Hi all, I thought I would create this post. Last week at church I attended a church group during Lent that is on different topics. Last week the topic was on How to love ourselves as Christians. I really wanted to listen to this topic and I thought it was really important to me as I struggle in this area quite a bit at times. As a neurodiverse person as well and having other conditions I can struggle as well like if I feel I slip up due to a sensory meltdown and it affects my behaviour and I may feel I fall short and can find it harder to love myself at those times and to forgive myself.

I did ask a question about loving ourselves with conditions towards the end and mentioned about autism around 27 minutes in but the entire video may be helpful still to some people. The Bill Bailey exhibition sounds quite interesting to me as well and the person mentioned also. They did give me permission to record this as well.

Also, was mentioned about Psalm 139 which I love about how God knows all our ways. Isaiah 43 was mentioned also how we are called by name from God and that we all are important to God. I wanted to say as well just a few days ago a thought came to my mind and said-we will separate you from your conditions as I feeling a bit downcast from an overwhelming episode and that today really reassured me that God will separate us from our conditions to judge us.

I am still listen to the video which I created for the church. If I pick up more notes and thoughts to I will post about them later.

Anyway, I hope some of you do enjoy the video.

 

[NB79]

I have problems with guilt, and some kind of scrupulosity, sometimes i blame myself when its not my fault, i know is not like that and God accepts me and forgives me, but i can't help myself

 

[Neonatal RRT]

You hear this talk of "religious guilt" and it seems to be a common phenomenon. The "Jesus died for our sins." narrative, as if it were your personal sin, but alas, it might better be interpreted in a broader sense. Guilt, in this context and perspective, gives us an opportunity to reflect and do better. However, within the context and perspective of someone on the autism spectrum, it can take on another dimension because many of us have an underlying low dopamine, low serotonin, associated depression. Sometimes mild, sometimes severe, but this can cause us to be in a state of rumination. These repetitive thoughts, even talking about them, can make "mountains out of molehills" and push us deeper into a mental health crisis. Inward thinking is rarely good.

Outward thinking. Thinking of others. Giving. These things should be emphasized in religion. Sure, you have your relationship with God, but also your community, your family, your significant other. Happiness and a sense of love, for many, comes from your relationship with others. This is a struggle for many of us on the spectrum because we are often marginalized in ways, by others and from ourselves.

Accepting, valuing, and loving yourself for who you are is a process and needs to be practiced every day. Have a sense of humor. Give yourself some grace. Distract yourself away from rumination by doing something for others.

 

[Zain]

How to love yourself: Be handsome or rich enough that people around you treat you positively. There you go, distilled down into a simple phrase.

 

[NB79]

How to love yourself: Be handsome or rich enough that people around you treat you positively. There you go, distilled down into a simple phrase.

The worse you get treated the harder is to love yourself it seems, and have 'self esteem'.

 

[Rachie]

I have problems with guilt, and some kind of scrupulosity, sometimes i blame myself when its not my fault, i know is not like that and God accepts me and forgives me, but i can't help myself

I am glad that my church covered this topic and allowed me to record it for them and the rector who took the time to do this.

Anyway thinking over what you have written.
I listened to the video again myself- and these scriptures are mentioned in the video- Psalm 139 about how God created us and knows us better than ourselves and knows all our ways. He didn’t create us to be perfect. Also, Psalm 51 read it offers forgiveness and makes apparent that we are only human ourselves and that we will make mistakes which God is ready to forgive us. I got from the video that we need to anchor ourselves in compassion anchored from God’s values. We need to try and be compassionate towards our neighbours and we need to do that to ourselves as well and live that life.

Obviously we need to remain humble as the Beatitudes guides us, but we are not a judge on ourselves. The time for that will come. Perhaps try and not focus on yourself to much. It is normal when strengthening in faith to go through like a period of repentance and remorse, but it is not to last for ever. The Holy Spirit has many roles, an advocate, comforter and counsellor and continue praying, don’t over think yourself and do the best you can it is enough for now. Psalm 72 was also mentioned in the video as well. Also, Isaiah 43 was mentioned as well. All those I’ve mentioned four scriptures read them and reflect and ask for direction. I hope things get easier.

I go through it myself and I say here to myself I am not here to judge myself on earth and we need a balance. Being a Christian is not easy and may feel guilty when try to come before God and measure up and failing. Just do what you can and keep things simple and focus on the Love of God and what he has for you who infinitely.

 

[Rachie]

This is what I do like from some of the Psalms that can used to support neurodiverse people learn to accept themselves.

Psalm 139
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book

Isaiah 43
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;


Acts 17:28
and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.;‘ For in him we live and move and have our being.

Psalm 51
This can help with forgiveness of ourselves.

Jeremiah 1​

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.

Psalm 72
4 May he defend the afflicted among the people

12For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy

Genesis 1 2:27
For you were made in my image

Ephesians 1​

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.

1 Corinthians 12​

Spiritual gifts extend to all members of the body of Christ including those with a neurodiversity and disability as well.
.............................
In Pia Matthew's book God's Wildflowers documents 141 Saints, Blessed and Venerable, who experienced health challenges ranging from mental to physical pain whilst serving God in holiness. As the author states in this book. Illness doesn't prove holiness and neither destroys or causes holiness. Furthermore, although illness may make things challenging at times, illness doesn't cause these Saints, Blessed and Venerable, to be abandoned by God.

I think illness in regards to autism can be taken to be like being overwhelmed etc.

 

[Alexej]

HI Rachie
Reading these quotes I am reminded of the question of the "image of God" and what that means, especially for those on the spectrum.
I know some who would pray for "healing" of this condition (AS), but that is an expression of the tendency to want to "normalise" everyone. It does not accept the multiplicity of the variations that exist in humankind. Look at the flowers of the field - how many different type of flowers are there.

 

[NB79]

HI Rachie
Reading these quotes I am reminded of the question of the "image of God" and what that means, especially for those on the spectrum.
I know some who would pray for "healing" of this condition (AS), but that is an expression of the tendency to want to "normalise" everyone. It does not accept the multiplicity of the variations that exist in humankind. Look at the flowers of the field - how many different type of flowers are there.

I believe that there is 'healthy autism' i mean it could be a way of being made by God, what i would pray for, is the other unhealthy complications that comes with autism sometimes.

I sometimes think about being made in the image of God, we are made his image, because the obvious thing people have for granted, that we are people with feelings and thoughts, God also has similar feelings and he thinks, so we are made in His image, because we are persons.

 

[Rachie]

HI Rachie
Reading these quotes I am reminded of the question of the "image of God" and what that means, especially for those on the spectrum.
I know some who would pray for "healing" of this condition (AS), but that is an expression of the tendency to want to "normalise" everyone. It does not accept the multiplicity of the variations that exist in humankind. Look at the flowers of the field - how many different type of flowers are there.

Hi Alexej
The Good News version of the Bible says that we are made with a likeness to God. That might be easier to understand.
I did ask my rector about your question and this was their take- It's worth re-reading Genesis 1 and Psalm 139 to see how and where these ideas are rooted. They said being made in God's image reflects our dignity and value and the respect each of us is due to each created as we are; also reflecting the responsibility we have to care for the creation.

To me as well, it means being born of Spirit and we can be unified to the spirit of God through baptism. Also, it means to me having some of the attributes of God and the ability to love and care for others and the ability to do good as God does as well.

 

[Rachie]

Last week I was feeling a bit disconnected in the body-I have been having a bit of a deal with my sensory processing of late.
I read Ezekiel 37:17 and I decided to try what was written about joining two sticks together to reunite the members in the body.
I must say since last week I have been healed of that issue I was having and I feel much better and the sensory processing is working well again.

One Nation Under One King

15The word of the Lord came to me: 16“Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, ‘Belonging to Joseph (that is, to Ephraim) and all the Israelites associated with him.’ 17Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand.