The Acceptance Factor

Photo by: Catherine McMahon

Learning to love myself involves choices that I would normally not make. It involves me actually looking in the mirror and realizing that God loves me.  

God loves me regardless of how others try to judge me. 

God loves me regardless of another person's response or interpretation of my actions.  

God loves me regardless.



Throughout my life, I have internalized a lot of damage that was a reflection of the pain that others were going through. Pain that they have internalized in their hearts.  However, I have realized that in order to move forward, I have to step out and be bolder about who God has made me to be.

This boldness is not arrogant but assured in the fact of who God is, and who He created me to be.  I am learning that in order to love myself, I have to exclude the "acceptance factor".

"What is the acceptance factor?"

The acceptance factor is an illusion of many sorts. 

It seeks to cater to the needs of others while ignoring yourself...ignoring your needs in the process. 

It focuses on the most minute...those irrelevant factors.  

The acceptance factor favors looking at pleasing people, in lieu of looking to God. 

There is a lack of a God-centered approach in the acceptance factor.


When you don't know how to love yourself, you are looking to other sources, circumstances, and outcomes to fill the void.  You are looking for acceptance, approval, and achievement instead of living life based upon who God says you are, and who He says He is.

When you rid yourself of the acceptance factor, you stop trying to please others. You stop trying to be better and do more... because none of that accomplishes the task of truly knowing and loving yourself.