In my early years I would often get into the pit of personal negative thinking, feeling like a failure. I was fortunate the have a friend, Juanita Greig, who would quote the verse, “Thou art fair, my love, there is no spot in you” (Song of Solomon 4:7). We had studied that scripture and knew it was how Jesus saw us, his bride. This always brought tears to my eyes. If Jesus sees us as having worth, who else matters.
I John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” That is beautiful, but the more accurate wording leaves Him out. “We love because He first loved us.” The point is until we believe we are loved and valuable, we have difficulty loving others.