Why is it so hard for us to believe that God truly loves us – with all of our faults, weaknesses and failures?

Nothing helped me to begin to “feel” God’s love for me more than when my wife and I had our first child…a daughter. I still remember feeling this overwhelming sense of love that was going to explode out of my chest. And for the first time I felt like I understood what the Psalmist wrote when he said…

“As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.” 
(Psalm 103:13-14 NIV84)

One of my favorite Christian musicians is Andrew Peterson. He writes beautiful music with profound lyrics.

One of his newest songs, Be Kind to Yourself (from his latest album The Burning Edge of Dawn), was written to his soon-to-be teenage daughter (who sits next to him at the piano).

He writes as a compassionate father to his daughter who is struggling with all of the common pre-adolescent struggles. He sees that she is so hard on herself – far harder than any loving father would ever want for their child.

This song is a metaphor for our relationship with God.

I have found throughout my years in ministry that many followers of Christ are so hard on themselves – they beat themselves up over every small mistake, every failure – no matter how small or insignificant. They expect perfect sanctification from the moment they come to Christ – without exception. They don’t allow themselves to rest in the “finished work of Christ” (Hebrews 7:25-28) – out of which flows their growth in Christ!

They allow the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10 KJV) to slay their heart and bring on profound discouragement. They often wonder and doubt God’s “everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he remove our transgressions from us.”
(Psalm 103:11-12 NIV84)

As you watch and listen to this song, I pray that it would be an encouragement to your soul. Selah!

Be Kind to Yourself (Lyrics)

You got all that emotion that’s heaving like an ocean

And you’re drowning in a deep, dark well

I can hear it in your voice that if you only had a choice

You would rather be anyone else

 

I love you just the way that you are

I love the way He made your precious heart

 

Be kind to yourself

Be kind to yourself

 

I know it’s hard to hear it when that anger in your spirit

Is pointed like an arrow at your chest

When the voices in your mind are anything but kind

And you can’t believe your Father knows best

 

I love you just the way you are

I love the way He’s shaping your heart

 

Be kind to yourself

Be kind to yourself

 

How does it end when the war that you’re in

Is just you against you against you

Gotta learn to love, learn to love

Learn to love your enemies too

 

You can’t expect to be perfect

It’s a fight you’ve gotta forfeit

You belong to me whatever you do

So lay down your weapon, darling

Take a deep breath and believe that I love you

 

Be kind to yourself

Be kind to yourself

Be kind to yourself

 

Gotta learn to love, learn to love, learn to love your enemies

Gotta learn to love, learn to love, learn to love your enemies too