As we come to grips with our own selfishness and stupidity, we make friends with the impostor and accept that we are impoverished and broken and realize that, if we were not, we would be God. The act of gentleness toward ourselves leads to being gentle with others – and is a natural prerequisite for our presence to God in prayer.

Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging