Hey, Reader!
I’m certain we’re alike more than you know.
I wake up in the middle of the night with a false guilt that I have let someone down or forgotten to do something. Then, I wake up in the morning, wondering how I’m going to get everything done while realizing there are tasks (and people) I won’t be able to satisfy.
Can someone say #guilttrend?
I’ve been fighting with this post for days, friend. And I still don’t have a clear reason why.
While I’m notorious for blaming blockers on the devil, I do believe this one was just lil’ ol’ me.
Seriously. I've been so hard on myself that I’ve been getting in my own way.
Do you know what that looks like? Do you find yourself in a cycle of self-condemnation, feeling the need to be the best? The best mom? The best friend? The best volunteer? Employee? Neighbor? Or…(Insert Role With SUPER Pressure Here).
It’s the extra pressure we put on ourselves to conquer every task while living in fear of dropping the ball when we were clearly instructed to rely on His strength and NOT our limited abilities.
It’s the silly thoughts that we were instructed to take captive - and yet we decide to mull over the enemy’s lies and the negativity over and over again without taking them captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
It’s the confusion we wrestle with when we fail to open our bible to seek and pray for His wisdom. (1 Corinthians 14:33, Proverbs 2:6)
Dear One, we’re hard on ourselves because we are attempting with all our might to do life in our own strength. Why?
First, Reader, let’s remember the beautiful truth of Philippians 4:13, with the reminder of “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
And then, there’s the Truth of Ephesians 3:20, which states, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is work within us.”
How powerful is that? Think about it, if we had all the answers and were born with the natural strength to take it on, would we need God? No. Which is why He designed us with limits. Limits to need HIM, rely on HIM, to fuel the gifts HE blessed us with, and as a result of HIS strength and goodness, we now have a testimony to tell; a Spirit-led discipleship to guide others to Christ-Jesus because of what HE'S done for us and through us.
Friend, when I’m asking you to chill out, please know that I’m preaching the same sermon to myself. This is not judgment. This is a challenge that I’m still guilty of.
Throughout this tough week, I struggled to decide what to write to all of my subscribers today. Sadly, it was worse than blinking-cursor syndrome; it was a pressure that I simply wasn’t passing to my Lord—the WHO I’m doing this blog for! Crazy, right? WOW
My point? We’re all human. We all fight to do our best. But we need to remember that our gifts and ultimate strength come from our precious Almighty God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gentle reminder that our strength and abilities are not enough on their own. We acknowledge that it is through You that we find true strength and purpose. Forgive us for the times we try to carry the weight of the world by ourselves and forget to lean on You.
Lord, help us to take every thought captive and surrender our fears, anxieties, and feelings of inadequacy to You. We trust in Your perfect timing, Your unlimited power, and Your divine plan for our lives. May we always rely on Your strength to accomplish the tasks You’ve set before us, and let our lives be a testimony of Your goodness and grace.
In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray, Amen.
In Love and Christ,
Dorene Elizabeth
