Expectations and Constant Failure
I hate making mistakes. Okay, obviously no one likes making them, but I have a special hatred for screwing up. I will lay up at night reliving a comment I made years ago that made someone uncomfortable, as if there is anything I can do about it now. It's pointless, but for whatever reason, my brain can't seem to Let. It. Go.
Lately, I have noticed I seem to be extremely anxious for reasons I can't quite pinpoint. I've prayed about it, I've tried to switch my thoughts, but no matter what, my stress level is still at a Britney Spears in 2007 (Google it). It's come to a point where I will be sitting on the couch, completely freaked out trying to figure out what I'm freaked out about.
Over the past few weeks, my Bible study has been going through the book of Galatians. In this book, Paul speaks over and over again about the freedoms we have in Christ and how we no longer need to be enslaved to "the law." Suddenly, it all came full circle. Instead of walking in freedom as a child of God, I have come up with an additional set of "laws" for myself, and am devastated when I am not able to live up to those. I am so caught up in my self-created expectations that I am not able to live in the peace that Christ purchased for me through His death and resurrection.
I realized it was time for me to let go of the standards I hold myself to and walk in the joy of Christ. In terms of man-made laws, I will always fall short. That's the entire point of the Gospel. I'm not good enough. Only Jesus is. True freedom is admitting that I am messed up, letting go of my pride and self-sufficiency, and leaning into Him for my affirmation.
Don't mishear me. I'm not saying that I'm free to live however I choose to. In Galatians 5:6, Paul says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision ("the law") nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." It is crucial that faith is active in my life. Through faith, love motivates my actions. In fact, later on in the same chapter Paul writes, "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Gal. 5:14).'" As long as I am loving others with the love I have been given in Jesus, I have nothing to worry about; I am living up to what's "expected" of me.
With that, walk in freedom today, friends. It's not about performance. It's not about our social media following. It's not about how inherently good we are. It's all about Jesus and falling into Him. Everything else will fall into place after that.
Lately, I have noticed I seem to be extremely anxious for reasons I can't quite pinpoint. I've prayed about it, I've tried to switch my thoughts, but no matter what, my stress level is still at a Britney Spears in 2007 (Google it). It's come to a point where I will be sitting on the couch, completely freaked out trying to figure out what I'm freaked out about.
Over the past few weeks, my Bible study has been going through the book of Galatians. In this book, Paul speaks over and over again about the freedoms we have in Christ and how we no longer need to be enslaved to "the law." Suddenly, it all came full circle. Instead of walking in freedom as a child of God, I have come up with an additional set of "laws" for myself, and am devastated when I am not able to live up to those. I am so caught up in my self-created expectations that I am not able to live in the peace that Christ purchased for me through His death and resurrection.
I realized it was time for me to let go of the standards I hold myself to and walk in the joy of Christ. In terms of man-made laws, I will always fall short. That's the entire point of the Gospel. I'm not good enough. Only Jesus is. True freedom is admitting that I am messed up, letting go of my pride and self-sufficiency, and leaning into Him for my affirmation.
Don't mishear me. I'm not saying that I'm free to live however I choose to. In Galatians 5:6, Paul says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision ("the law") nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." It is crucial that faith is active in my life. Through faith, love motivates my actions. In fact, later on in the same chapter Paul writes, "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Gal. 5:14).'" As long as I am loving others with the love I have been given in Jesus, I have nothing to worry about; I am living up to what's "expected" of me.
With that, walk in freedom today, friends. It's not about performance. It's not about our social media following. It's not about how inherently good we are. It's all about Jesus and falling into Him. Everything else will fall into place after that.
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