Feeling Loved When You Don't Feel Loveable
For Bible references in this video, check the description on YouTube.
We all go through those times when we feel unloveable. We all sometimes feel that we have no one who cares for us or who notices our tears. Loneliness is practically an epidemic—especially when we're struggling with mental illness or poor mental health. But, my friend, you ARE loved. And you are very WELL loved.
"We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." —1 John 4:16
Maybe you've grown up in the church, hearing "God loves you" over and over. Maybe you could hear these words all day long, and you'd still have a hard time truly believing it. I understand. But can you imagine a few things with me for a minute?
You are loved.
You've been set free in Christ.
You are valuable.
You are
worthy of God's attention.
What if all this is true?
What if you accepted God's love? What if you had a life ahead of you that's full of purpose and meaning? What if God could help you to live each day with joy and fulfillment? Jesus said of us, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10, emphasis added).
"Whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." —1 John 3:20
What would change if you believed?
Let's look at a few ways God will start to change you once you start believing the truth that, no matter what, you are loved by Him:
Fear will diminish.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" —1 John 4:18
You won't have to be afraid of "getting in trouble" with God by making mistakes. When you DO mess up (and we ALL do!), you won't have to be afraid of God being mad at you, because you'll know He's already forgiven you. You'll know if you ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9), He'll take your guilt and shame and turn it into righteousness.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." —Romans 8:1
Since you'll know that God loves you, you'll know that He's on your side, working all things for your good (Romans 8:28). You won't need to fear circumstances, people, or anything else—because you'll know and trust that God is in control and looking out for you (John 15:7).
Confidence will grow.
"We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." —Romans 8:28
Choose to hold your head up high. When you walk, walk with your eyes fixed straight ahead. Put your shoulders back. Walk like you belong to Somebody important and have important things to do—because you do! When you wear the crown of royal sons and daughters of the One True King, you can carry yourself with a new confidence you never knew could be yours.
"We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life." —2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NLT)
Fellowship with God will Deepen
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." —Revelation 3:20
Once we've been saved by Jesus, we become new creations—representing a Heavenly Kingdom, with a Heavenly Father who lavishes His love over us and has the power to overcome anything (Colossians 1:16; Psalm 135:6).
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." —1 John 3:1
When you believe, live, and walk like you're loved by the King of Kings, you'll begin to see God's will for your life as an Ambassador for Christ's Kingdom. You can shine and radiate His Light into a dark world. Through you, He will change the world. How cool is that?
Yes, we've all made mistakes and we're going to continue making them! Maybe even ones that, by human standards, make us unworthy or unfit to be loved. But, according to God, that is an OUTRIGHT LIE (John 3:16-17).
"God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." —Romans 5:8 (NLT)
Today, I challenge you to know and believe that you're loved and accepted by God. There's no sin so awful that God cannot forgive it. Choose to start living out that belief—regardless of whether you "feel" it.
God's Love isn't Dependent Upon Our Feelings
Feelings are fickle, but the King of Kings has always loved you greatly. Once you've accepted Christ as your Savior, the King becomes your Father. And there's nothing quite like our Heavenly Father's love for His children. It's a sweet embrace.
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." —Zephaniah 3:17
Maybe you've never felt that loved by anyone before. Maybe your own earthly father has never been like this. But give God an opening into your heart. He is trustworthy. He isn't another version of a broken parent. Ask to experience His love, and He will provide.
No matter what you've done, no matter where you've been, He still loves you the same and desires your presence (John 3:17; Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 2:4).
"The ways of right-living people glow with light. The longer they live, the brighter they shine." —Proverbs 4:18 (The Message)
Isn't that beautiful? The longer we live, the brighter we shine.
Break the Cycle of Lies
Destroy the lies that say you're unloveable, unworthy, or worthless. Jesus says YOU ARE WORTH IT. And He proved you're worth it by dying for you, coming back to life, and giving you the gift of His sacrifice so that you could be set free. Free from the weight of sin. Free from guilt, pain, and fear. Free from the lies that make you feel unloveable.
No matter who you are, where you stand, or what you've done, you can choose to start living like you're loved. Because you are. Time to rise from the ashes...and SHINE.
You are worth every drop of sweat and blood that Jesus shed for you millennia ago. And He'd do it all again—just for you. You're loved beyond your wildest dreams, friend. That love's available to you right now, knocking at the door of your heart (Revelation 3:20).
If you haven't accepted Christ as your Savior, you still can. As long as you live and breathe, it is not too late. God is calling you to come to Him, to lavish His love on YOU. What are you waiting for? An unchanging, unshakeable love and an ocean of grace and mercy is waiting for you, wrapped in God's perfect love.
The offer is on the table right now. Believe the truth of God's love for you, and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, live a life well-loved. Believe this: "Because of Jesus, I am loved by God. Unconditionally and eternally." Say it as many times as it takes for you to believe it, remember it, and live it. They're the truest words you'll ever say.
Because, friend, you are loved. And you are VERY well loved.
ALSO SEE:
- Is God mad at me?
- What does the Bible say about loneliness?
- What is love?
- How can I experience true joy?
- How can I receive forgiveness from God?
- What does it mean that a Christian is a new creation?
- What does it mean that Jesus saves?
- What is the gospel?
- Does God love me?
- Why does God love us?
- Is God's love conditional or unconditional?
- How can I stop thinking of God as angry and imposing?
- Is human life valuable?
- How can I discover God's purpose for my life?
- What's the meaning of life?
- What does the Bible say about shame and regret?
- How can I stop feeling guilty?
TL;DR
Destroy the lies that say you're unloveable, unworthy, or worthless. Jesus says YOU ARE WORTH IT. And He proved you're worth it by dying for you, coming back to life, and giving you the gift of His sacrifice so that you could be set free. Free from the weight of sin. Free from guilt, pain, and fear. Free from the lies that make you feel unloveable. No matter who you are, where you stand, or what you've done, you can choose to start living like you're loved. Because you are. Time to rise from the ashes...and SHINE.
Writer: Stephanie C.
Stephanie is in her 20s and is passionate about seeing believers grow and deepen their relationship with the Lord. She is a lover of sweet tea, sunshine, and the freedom that comes from Christ. In her free time, she can be found spending time with her husband, playing pickleball, running her soda shop, or jamming out to worship music. Her dreams are to become a published author and open up more locations for her shop, while living a life full of fun and joy that comes from the Lord.
