Can I be real with you today?

Am I the only one that battles with perfection?

Do you ever compare yourself with others and give yourself a bad grade?

You feel unless all your “ducks are in a row” you are lacking somewhat.

Instead of encouraging yourself for the 5 pounds you lost, you focus on the 20 you haven’t.

We look around to others and “measure” ourselves.

Why do we, as Daughters of the most HIGH KING, struggle with loving and accepting ourselves…..mistakes, messes and all?

I recently wrote down a list of things that I wanted to accomplish or work on personally. As I read back over the list I realized I had some pretty hefty expectations for myself.

I would never enforce these expectations on my closest friends, however, silently, in my head, I had the list for me.

Here’s the deal:

When I focus on my accomplishments and strengths/shortcomings and failures, I am not walking in the grace God has given me. I am focusing on me not Jesus. It’s not about performance, it’s about His love and grace for us and others.

NOW THE GOOD PART:

Recently God is taking me on a journey of remembering and receiving His amazing grace.

Most of us remember the day we were saved. We remember the sin He saved us from and out of. However, we sometimes forget that He wants us to continue to live in His grace.

He knows our limits and He knows we are but dust. He loves us so much that He made provision for our weakness and failures.

Yesterday, one of my friends shared with me that she said something she shouldn’t have. It just kind of slipped out and she instantly regretted it. She asked the Lord to forgive her and He did. (1 John 1:9) However, as the day went by she kept feeling upset for what she had said. The next thing she knew she was just disgusted with herself and began to put herself down. “I’m just a dummy is what I am”. Before long she was discouraged and focusing inward.

Does that sound familiar? I know it does to me!

But wait just a minute. Does Jesus really think you need to receive His grace for salvation then live life on your own hoping to impress Him by your behavior?

No, He doesn’t. He knows we need Him! He longs for us to know our need of Him and rest upon HIS power and grace. Out of receiving His love and loving Him back, then we can pour out our love to Christ and others.

TO SUM IT ALL UP:

You don’t have to be perfect. You have a perfect Savior.

You don’t have to be “successful” in everything you do to make God love you. He loves you perfectly.

You don’t have to fit in the world’s mold of beautiful. You are beautiful to your Creator who made you JUST THE WAY He planned you to be.

Let’s stop striving in the flesh and bask in the presence of God and His grace. He loves you. He doesn’t compare you with others. He has unique plans for you that others are not created for. RECEIVE HIS LOVE FOR YOU PERSONALLY and from that foundation simply love Him and others back.