So in the shower as I  wondered about God’s great love, I remembered this verse.

“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love” (1 John 4:18 NLT).

You’ve probably heard it in different versions. There is no fear in love. (click to tweet)

Then the Lord impressed this question upon my heart: What if you loved yourself that way, Mary?

Oh dear.

I have certainly not loved myself well. I give into fear mongering (oh how I fail. Oh how I don’t measure up). I punish myself if I don’t act a certain way, do a certain thing, adhere to a high set of standards. I shame myself. Berate myself. Tell myself I’m no good.

This is NOT love, folks. This is punishment, and according to the Scriptures, means I haven’t yet experienced God’s perfect love.

What if God’s perfect love meant you gave yourself grace to fail? (click to tweet)

What if God’s perfect love meant you afforded yourself the same do-over card you give your kids?

What if God’s perfect love meant the voice inside your head was more Gentle Cheerleader and less Angry Teacher?

What if God’s perfect love meant taking yourself less seriously?

What if God’s perfect love didn’t depend on your performance, but instead on His? (click to tweet)

What if God’s perfect love was absolutely free, unearned, bountiful?

So I end asking you (and me) this question: What would your life be like if you chose to truly, truly love yourself as Jesus has loved you? What would happen? What would change? How would this affect your family?