Peace family, do you feel overwhelmed? If so, I’ve got some great news! Yesterday in church, my pastor spoke about our burdens, and it was so powerful to me, that I’d like to share it with you.
He said that a lot of of the time when we are over-burdened, there is a lie that we believe at the root of it. He said if we have fallen into comparison, we believe the lie that we don’t measure up. When we are afraid, we believe the lie that God isn’t big enough, powerful enough, or doesn’t care, so we have to be in control. When we feel guilty, we believe the lie that we are beyond forgiveness, our sins are too big, or we have too many sins. Finally, we also can be prideful, believing the lie that we are indispensable, leading us to make many more commitments than we need to.
The Bible points us towards opposite conclusions. Don’t compare yourself to others, because you are absolutely unique (see Ephesians 2:10), and God compares you to no one; there’s a role you can fill that no one else can fill, and it’s hard to accomplish it if you’re always comparing yourself against others. If you struggle with fear, the truth is that God IS powerful and caring, he sees what you’re going through, and worry doesn’t help. If you struggle with guilt, remember that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), there is no sin that God can’t or won’t forgive (see I John 1:9), and there is no future that God can’t redeem. He uses even the worst struggles and sins we have to create something good (Romans 8:28). As for pride, we are each useful but not indispensable. Pray for discernment about what to be involved with (Philippians 1:9-10), say “yes” to the best, “no” to the rest, and stop looking around and just do what God called you uniquely to do.
Finally, my pastor challenged each of us to memorize Philippians 4:6-7, “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I don’t know about you, but I’ve struggled with every single one of these! It makes me want to print the truths and verses out and put them on my refrigerator. I hope it encourages you, too!
Anyway, just a few thoughts from your friendly neighborhood Kat.
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