Well, if we look at the world’s way…love is conditional.  You do this, I’ll do that.  You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.  Most of us have looked for love in all the wrong places.  Just look at the reality shows on TV.  Sex before marriage is the norm. Heck, statistics show that young kids are having sex by the age of 12 and they know more than adults, in this capacity.  Look at the Porn industry.  It’s huge.  Quite simply, it is an addiction to lust, sex and one-night stands; which is killing the very essence of our families, our society.  This isn’t love!

One of the most important things we need to realize is that the lack or void we feel can not be filled by things or people.  Nothing external can fill the void that is deep within yourself.  Most people think that if they find a mate, life would be perfect.  Or they think, if only I had more money, I would feel happier. Nothing could be further from the truth.  For we can not expect someone or something to make us happy. If we are unhappy within ourselves, then how could they possibly make us happy.  It just isn’t possible and we are setting them and ourselves up for failure.

Let’s take a cat or dog, for an example.  Say you have been gone all day long and you finally make it home.  You open the door to find that loving pet; excited to see you.  Whether they are jumping up and down or jumping into your lap, they trusted you to come home and they are excited to show you how much they love you.  It is completely unconditional.  They are just happy to see you.

Well, that is how God loves us.  We can’t earn God’s love nor do we deserve it.  He simply loves us!  It is unconditional. (Ephesians 3:14-19)  He doesn’t care if we are short, tall, overweight, skinny or have pimples; He loves us RIGHT NOW, NO MATTER WHAT!

See, when we start realizing God’s love for us, we can then start feeling love for ourselves.  This in turn, fills the void deep within.  I’m not talking about an egotistical love for ourselves, thinking that you are better than anyone else.  What I’m talking about is having a deep love rooted for God, through God and into our own heart.

When we start experiencing this type of love, then and only then, can we begin showing love for others. This kind of love doesn’t depend on if the person deserves our love or not, we simply realize that God loves us and He loves them.  Nothing can take God’s love from you! (Romans 8:37-39)  THIS IS TRUE LOVE!

So, EMBRACE YOURSELF!  Look in the mirror and say “I AM BEAUTIFUL, GOD LOVES ME”.  Repeat!  “I AM BEAUTIFUL, GOD LOVES ME”.    For when you really begin to feel God’s love for you, it will begin to create the most incredible, amazing, loving relationships that we all desperately crave!