The question was asked of me by a young woman trying to make sense out of her life and the Christian faith she was returning to.

This is a common struggle experienced by many people. Influenced by many factors. Not easily answered. I encouraged her to seek professional counseling and thankfully she did. Too many don’t and their lives keep spiraling downward.

Why is it so hard to love myself in this condition?

This question was asked of me by an aging person whose strength was weakening.

Again, it’s a common struggle experienced by many people and influenced by many factors. Again, I encouraged this person to seek professional counseling and the help of their clergy person.

Loving ourselves is an important command that we don’t pay attention to very often. A reading of I Corinthians 13 is a good chapter for reflection for anyone struggling to become more loving toward God, self and others.

Thinking about all of the people who struggle from time to time with loving themselves (and that would include myself) I wrote A Litany of Prayer for a Loving Attitude, which is on page 118 in my book “Praying Our Way Through Stress: Drawing Wisdom from the Lord’s Life and Prayer”

A Litany of Prayer for a Loving Attitude
by June G Paul