Image source: Kim Brown Today
I’m Learning to Love My Broken Self
Yes, I know the idea that we’re all broken isn’t a popular one. It seems many dislike the term because they assume it means either unfixable or unlovable. But it means neither.
In fact, it means quite the opposite. Jesus famously taught that we are all broken (John 3:16, Romans 5:8), but that we are also:
- Fixable — it’s called discipleship — think “apprenticeship,” a journey of transformation, not an app you download; and that we are…
- Lovable — right now, even while we’re still in the process of being fixed.
My Brokenness…
…has a lot to do with my hard-wired ADHD and OCD, as well as the bad habits and wrong-headed notions that have been layered on top of that wiring ever since. All of which have helped lay the groundwork for my particular brand of what, until recently, people called sin, mistreating or using others, God, and yes, even ourselves.
Result? I sometimes struggle with liking and accepting myself. So, here’s a parallel that helps me correct that attitude: Can a person with, say, no legs like themself? Of course! But that doesn’t mean they can’t and shouldn’t fix the problem. (Who hasn’t cheered on some overcoming Paralympian or physically-challenged performer/teacher/scientist?) And it also doesn’t mean they shouldn’t address their own subsequent sinful behaviors.
So here’s to liking (accepting) and loving ourselves right now — even while we strive to be proud of the person we’re becoming!
“You are who you are, and just as you are, you are worthy and loved.”
So well said! 🙂
Beautiful Mitch ❤️🪽
The lesson I take from this Mitch is keep on keeping on. Life gets better. We get better. We start to make progress and overcome the mountains we’re traveling!
Wow, did I need this today, Mitch! I’m wondering if we were separated at birth, because I too would call myself ADHD and OCD, which can be a hard combination to live with. (I did see a great t-shirt about being both – “That means everything has to be perfect, but just for a few minutes…”) We have a lot of creativity and potential to be used by God (I think we’ve both seen evidence of that.), but we have to beware of the voice of the accuser telling us we’re a mess and a failure. That can really clog up the brain and steal our joy. (Please don’t ask me how I know that.)
if we can’t love and accept ourselves we won’t care about anything around us… thanks for sharing Mitch…
I feel for you Mitch! I don’t know how you it! I have depression and anxiety and I thought that was hard to deal with but what you are dealing with sounds difficult.
Lately I have been so concerned with what people think about me, specifically a guy I have known for over 3 years I met on a dating site. He gave me mixed signals but never kissed or told me I looked nice and it really bothered me because I felt so ugly. I finally I got an answer out of him today. He just wants to be friends. That was a load off my mind. I know God thinks I am beautiful and I feel much better.
God loves you Mitch!
Thank you, and thank you for sharing your hear with us here. 🧡 (Btw, may I ask your name?)
Right on! Nobody is perfect. Improving is what encourages us and gives us hope. Every step we take to function better is worthy of grace.
Amen, Janet. 🧡
I can relate, Mitch. I have BPD, anxiety, and depression. I’m also neurodivergent and struggle with ADHD. Not to mention all the compulsions and addictions I’ve dealt with. But I’m still myself, and God loves me as I am.
He does indeed, Chanél. 🧡
If you’re like me, a busy brain can bring on OCD. Mindfulness helps, as well as prayers.
Agreed, Ezekiel.
Self love is your first love. It’s meant to be contagious.
Good point, although I suspect self-love might actually follow mother-love, Venay.
My husband thought the point of religion was to make sure your “do right” list was longer than your “do wrong list” so you could earn heaven. He didn’t get that I had taken a leap of faith after being an agnostic by saying a prayer asking Jesus to be both my Savior and my Lord and how that gave me an experience of totally unconditional love. He was a very logical focused on what he could see and touch person. But one day driving to work, he decided to check God out. He prayed, “God, Eileen says you will talk to us if we listen. I’m listening.” Just then a flashing blue light with a siren came up behind him. As the policeman told him he was speeding and took his license back to the police car to check him out, my husband thought, “Oh boy! I can’t wait to tell Eileen about this answer!” But when the policeman came back, he said, “While I was writing your ticket, almost every car going by was going as fast of faster than you were. I’m going to tear up your ticket, but make sure to watch your speed better.” With that he tore up the ticket.
My immediate response to this story was remembering the Scripture in Romans 3:21-26 “Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” It took my husband some time to actually hear this with both mind and heart, but eventually he rejoiced in the Love of God fleshed out in Jesus for all.