When’s the last time you lost it? I mean, totally lost your perspective. Be honest.
Recently, I got overwhelmed by a bathroom vanity. See, don’t you feel better now?
It’s a good long story, but the point is this:
I allowed a micro-decision in the grand scheme of this life, to completely derail my perspective.
When this happens, time and time again, it’s the word of God that reigns my heart & mind back into right thinking.
But sometimes when your thinking is off, you can even misinterpret that.
Example: In the past, I would read verses like 1 Thess 5:16-18
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
And add it to my mental, “Try Harder” list. It would feel like a mandate.
“Be cheerful no matter what”.
Shoot.
“Pray all the time”
Whoops.
“Thank God no matter what happens.”
*defeated sigh*
“This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”
In my skewed, religious perspective, I would read such truths as a measuring stick for yet another area in life where I was constantly falling short.
So what did I do? Apologize to Jesus for all my un-biblical thinking and for forgetting how big of a God He is. The short version looked something like this:
“Lord, I’m sorry. You deserve so much better, I’m trying & I’ll keep trying harder God. Help me. I’m so afraid of disappointing you.”
After prayer, I would continue to live under the weight of condemnation for what felt like the “appropriate” amount of time one should feel bad about themselves and eventually, move on.
All in my own strength. Striving. Feeling Small.
I’m exhausted just recalling it. Because there’s a better way to live.
There’s a truth that set and continues to set me free from that nonsense.
And because I want to see your No Small Life free too, here’s the truth:
You’re not enough and you never could be.
You: you’re not helping Megan
Me: hang with me.
If you could be enough for all your life and your perfect “Christian performance,” Jesus didn’t need to die friend.
What was the point of the cross?
Through the power of His resurrection, you can be set free from a life of striving.
The day Jesus died, He became your more than enough.
He’s your freedom when you feel trapped, your lifeline when you feel stuck, your joy when you feel despair, and your hope when you’ve run out.
We wrote a whole ebook about it. Totally free. Check it out.
You don’t have to strive to be better. Our salvation wasn’t only to rescue us for eternity. The same grace that saves us forever, justifies us every single day.
You can live in a new way of thinking.
You can live through the one who is your “more than enough!”
When you place the power & love of Jesus squarely in the lense of your perspective, everything changes.
Look at 1 Thess. 5:16-18 again with a new perspective.
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
It’s not a list of have to’s it’s an invitation of get too’s.
Feeling discouraged? His joy is available right now!
Feeling overwhelmed by circumstances or pain? We get to approach a loving Father in prayer. Jesus gave us unlimited access to the throne room of God.
If “grateful” is the last word to describe you right now, even better news. Choosing to tell the Lord what you’re thankful for, out loud, especially when you don’t feel like it, shifts the gears in your brain. For more help on choosing “thankfulness,” click here.
Today, if you’re desperately needing to feel: empowered, equipped, enough, capable, loved…
Good news: You already are.
You are all those things. Not because you’re awesome and so deserving, because, through the power of the cross, you take on the righteousness of Christ.
Every bit of your broken identity gets cloaked in His righteousness. Seeing life, your life, from His perspective is your new lens.
Are we servants of the most High God? Of course, but guess who we are first…loved sons and daughters. Because of who your Heavenly Father is, you GET to change your perspective.
Check out this 1 min clip to add fuel to this truth.
You are so loved… pic.twitter.com/mJGXN82usP
— Christine Caine (@ChristineCaine) February 13, 2018
So, practically speaking, how do we do this in the moments when life feels too much and not enough all at the same time? How do we shift our focus when out perspective gets small?
1. Recognize:
Is the belief you’re operating in contrary to the Bible?
2. Speak the Truth:
What scripture is the antidote for the lie you’re believing? Say it out loud. Write it down. Keep it fresh in your mind.
3. Change your environment:
Sometimes a literal change in your environment shifts your mental perspective. Get outside. Go for a quick walk. Take a few refueling deep breaths.
4. Put Truth in your ears:
Listen to worship music and sing it’s truth out loud. Download a podcast that will shift your perspective. I am loving the Reving the Word podcasts through Revelation Wellness right now. It’s the perfect companion for Chris’ workout!
5. Get your grateful on:
Steven Furtick says, “Gratitude re-interprets the situations in our lives. The attacks of discouragement will never stop coming, BUT if they’re met with praise at the gate, they won’t find entrance into your heart.”
Check out this printable to help you get started
6. Get some accountability:
Be honest about your struggles with someone you trust and someone who will challenge you to rise above the lies.
Your life could never be small when you’re found in Him.
Until next time,
Meg
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