Brennan Manning observed that “so often what is notoriously missing from the external, mechanized concept of salvation is self-acceptance, an experience that is internally personalized and rooted in the acceptance of Jesus Christ” (Ruthless Trust).

Sometimes we are too quick to equate the term self-acceptance with “pride” or “self-esteem,” but there’s a significant difference. The Christian who heartily accepts the love (acceptance) of God will naturally also accept himself. Thus, self-acceptance isn’t rooted in egoism. It’s realizing, If the Lord doesn’t condemn me, then neither do I. How can I despise whom He loves?

Self-condemnation is as egocentric as self-obsession—they both revolve around self. But self-acceptance allows you to rise up, whole and healed, and stop spending your energy on accusing thoughts: I’ll never measure up. I’m such an idiot. I’ll probably just mess everything up. I don’t deserve to be happy. Rather, you conclude, He accepts me, I accept me, let’s move on. Your focus turns away from yourself and toward others.

“He brought me out to a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me,” said David (Ps. 18:19). Today, enthusiastically embrace God’s love for you, and you’ll find that you are in “a spacious place,” free from the tyranny of yourself. You’ll also discover that once you extend grace to yourself, you’ll extend it much more quickly and generously to others.

“I trust in God’s faithful love forever and ever” (Ps. 52:8).