Brennan Manning, writing in Abba’s Child.
“The art of gentleness toward ourselves leads to being gentle with others.”
Amen.
There are lots of Christians who would call that “snowflake” Christianity.
It’s actually Jesus Christianity.
He showed grace to you, so what’s wrong with showing yourself the same kind of grace?
Furthermore, as Manning writes, if we accept God’s gentleness as a reality, if we adopt that posture towards ourselves, then we will naturally be gentle with others.
A self-critical Christian is often enormously critical of others, as well.
Criticism becomes a part of our being.
And unfortunately, too many churches — particularly theologically conservative ones — urge Christians towards self-reflective “examination” (actually, harsh self-criticism) under the guise of “sanctification.”
God wants us to receive his gift of grace as a child — and have you ever seen how a child receive gifts?
Not with doubt, but happiness.
Not with a “do I deserve this?” but with, “Oh, thanks Dad! I can’t wait to play with that,” and then they start figuring out the remote controls.
The saddest thing is to see a child, obsessed over whether they’re good enough. God forbid!
And I suspect it breaks God’s heart, as well, when you wonder the same. When you try to please a smile out of him.
He is already and always smiling at you. You are his beloved son or daughter.
Be gentle and kind to yourself. Just as Christ was. And you will be gentle and kind to others, as well.
Remember this song from Andrew Peterson.
