Read: I Corinthians 13:4-8 “For God has said, ‘I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.’ 6 That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, "The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.’ ” - Heb 13:5-6 (TLB)
Trying to live in a constant state of perfectionism used to drive me in circles. Thankfully, I learned that God is love (I Corinthians 13: 4-8), and that His love covers a multitude of my sins. I do not have to be perfect in order to receive His love. Now, I can loosen up on myself and everyone else. His character includes patience and kindness; and though we fail, He never thinks evil of us. He takes no pleasure in disciplining us; but He is always faithful to discipline all of His children in order to bring us back to His straight and narrow road.
He bears with us, comforts us and embraces us in His everlasting arms. He rejoices when we walk in His truth and when we speak His truth to others and to ourselves. He believes we can do all things through Christ, His Son. Jesus endured the cross to ensure that we will never utterly fail. Now, Jesus lives within us by His Spirit, providing all the power of the entire triune Godhead for us to utilize as we need His help with a task, guidance to walk in His will, and protection to keep us safe.
These promises inspire assurance in my heart. I may make mistakes, but God’s love is not contingent upon my works. He calls us to reach for perfection, but He knows without His grace this goal is impossible. God created us as human beings, and He has the patience to wait as our character grows through the encouragement of His love. Therefore, I can do my best and leave the rest up to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, when I give in to Satan’s temptation to give up on myself, remind me that You are in my corner believing in my success. Help me to read Your Word, to delight in each thought it reveals, to allow it to divide between my flesh and my spirit in order to make me holy, and help me to share Your Truth with everyone I meet. Thought for the Day:
God loves our humanity, because He made us as mere mortals!