I didn’t come to know self-respect until I came to know God. I had no significance. I didn’t know how to treat myself with dignity. I didn’t believe that what I did mattered to myself, to God, to anyone. I thought humiliation was the way to humility, denigrating myself the way of putting others first. I began to think differently when I began to know Jesus.
Jesus died for my sins. God loves me. It’s nothing I have done, it’s who He says I am—a child of the Most High God. I am a child of the Most High God, saved by grace. I accept and embrace what God has given me—all of it. My home, my family, my intelligence, my body, my gifts, my talents, my purpose. Precious gifts, His blessings. I respect myself as one loved by God and saved by Jesus.
Part of this self-respect is respecting God in others, too. Just as my parents would have me respect my sibling, God expects me to honor Him by regarding His children in the same loving manner I do myself. This helps remind them of who they are to God and the great price Jesus paid to make us all completely lovable in His eyes.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind; that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Meeting God at the Park 