Perfect or Excellent?

 

By Andrea Merrell

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence,

and moral excellence with knowledge.

2 Peter 1:5 NLT

 

For so many years of my life I struggled with perfectionism, thinking anything “less than” was unacceptable. I felt judged by others for a less-than-perfect appearance … behavior … house … children. The pressure I lived under to please others and measure up to their unrealistic standards and expectations—as well as my own—created a constant feeling of failure and self-condemnation, even shame. No peace. No joy.

I was looking for my self-worth and affirmation in all the wrong places.

One writer says that after she was born again, she lived in fear that her “salvation contract” would become null and void the moment she made a mistake or didn’t do things perfectly. She attributes these feelings to pride and the fear of man.

We need to remember that the Enemy will constantly bombard us with accusations: You royally messed up. You said the wrong thing. What you did was unacceptable—and unforgiveable. You’ll never be good enough, so you might as well quit trying.

But Jesus says, “I love you even though … in spite of … because of … There’s nothing we can say or do that His grace and forgiveness won’t cover. He doesn’t expect or require perfection; that’s a quality only He possesses.

Our responsibility is to strive to do things in excellence—doing the best we can with what we have and doing it all as unto Him. As one writer says, “His perfection covers our imperfections.”

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and David Castillo Dominici

What Are You Full Of?

 

By Andrea Merrell

A good person produces good things from the treasury

of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things

from the treasury of an evil heart.

What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Luke 6:45 NLT

 

Normally, when someone says, “You’re full of it,” their meaning is anything but positive.

But it still begs the question, What are we full of? Faith? Joy? God’s Word? Or is it more a matter of fear? Anxiety? Bitterness?

The Word for You Today says, “You can learn a lot about yourself by listening to what you say.” Why? Because Jesus plainly tells us the mouth speaks whatever the heart is full of.

It’s a matter of input/output. What goes in is what comes out, so it’s important for us to realize what we think about, read, watch, dwell on, do habitually, and allow to become part of us.

The psalmist declared, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NKJV). The Passion translation put it like this: “I consider your Word to be my greatest treasure, and I treasure it in my heart to keep me from committing sin’s treason against you.”

When we fill our heart and mind with God’s Word, we allow our thoughts, words, and actions to line up with His.

Take a moment and listen to yourself, then ask yourself, “What am I full of?” If you don’t like the answer, you can change it starting today.

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and winnond.

You Are a Masterpiece

 

By Andrea Merrell

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew 

in Christ Jesus,

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

 

The young woman tried to please everyone. Unhappy with herself, she attempted to emulate those she looked up to, to be what she thought others thought she should be, all while trying her best to fit in. The problem? She based her identity and self-worth on what all these other people said to her and about her, as well as how they treated her.

She had no clue who she really was.

Trying to be someone we were never created to be is a no-win situation. It only leads to confusion, frustration, and heartache.

God calls us His masterpiece which, according to The Word for You Today, “is not mass-produced or created on an assembly line. It’s not average; it’s unique. It’s original. It’s custom made. It’s one of a kind.”

That, my friend, is how God sees each one of us. We are His special creation, His very own idea. Just like no two fingerprints are alike, none of us are alike. Every single thing about us differs from everyone else: Our appearance. Our personality. Our gifts, talents, and abilities. How we express ourselves. How we think. Our sense of humor.

We may see traits in others that we admire, but we should never be envious or try to be like them. God wants us to embrace the person He created us to be and allow Him to transform us into the image of His dear Son (Romans 8:29).  

Don't try to blend in or be afraid to stand out in a crowd. Begin to see yourself as God sees you. He says you are a masterpiece.

Photo by Rupert Britton on Unsplash

When They’re Hard to Love

 By Andrea Merrell

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.

As I have loved you, that you also love one another. 

By this all will know that you are My disciples,

if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-34 NKJV

She was one of those people who is difficult to be around. Hard to love. But sometimes these are the type of people who need love the most.

I once heard someone say, “It’s hard to hug a porcupine.” When that’s our attitude, we tend to shy away from these folks, avoiding them at all costs.

The Word for You Today says:

The people we would prefer to ignore are the very ones who need huge doses of love. If a person can’t find love, they will seek attention. And if they can’t obtain positive attention, they will work at attracting negative attention. Unintentionally, they are saying, “I will be noticed one way or another.”

James Dobson from Focus on the Family referred to this as the “soggy potato chip principle.” He explained that when a child wants a potato chip, they prefer a fresh, crisp one, but they will take a soggy one rather than not have one at all.

What is the best way for us to deal with these difficult people? By changing our thoughts about them instead of being ruled by our emotions. By looking beyond their faults and focusing more on their needs—the biggest of which is to be loved. To be seen. To be validated.

Some call this “loving by faith,” and it takes a conscious decision on our part. Our thoughts and attitudes determine our words and actions.

Jesus said we are to love one another. So what do we do when someone is hard to love? We love them a whole lot more.

Follow Jesus’ example … go ahead and hug that porcupine.

Photo by Alexas_Fotos on Unsplash

Check Your Foundation

 

By Andrea Merrell

For no one can lay any foundation other than

the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT

 

“The foundation is full of cracks,” the contractor told the man, “so the structure is unstable. I’m afraid we’ll have to tear it down and start over.”

The man was devastated, thinking of the time, money, and effort that had gone into the project. This would set him back, but he knew it would be worth it in the end.

Having a solid foundation is crucial to whatever we’re building, especially a marriage, family, friendships, business, or ministry. But how do we do that? Here’s what the Word says in Luke 6:46-49 (NLT) about building on a solid foundation:

So why do you keep calling me “Lord, Lord!” when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.

Who is that solid rock? Jesus. The Bible refers to Him in numerous places as the chief and precious cornerstone, firm and tested. He is the One who can hold all things together in spite of whatever comes our way.

If the winds of adversity are blowing your way and threatening to take you down, be sure to check your foundation. Maybe it’s time to rebuild on the Rock.

Photo by Becca Lavin on Unsplash