Guiltless Living - Girlfriends in God - May 30, 2014
May 30, 2014
Guiltless Living
Ginger Hubbard
We hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions. We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends. From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend," Ginger Hubbard.
Today’s Truth
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17, NIV).
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Friend to Friend
For so long in my life, I struggled with trying to be a good Christian. Inevitably, I would blow it on a daily basis - then proceed to beat myself up spiritually and emotionally.
In setting my standards high for being what I perceived the perfect wife and mom, I chose the woman described in Proverbs 31 as my role model. On one particular morning, I remember reading about her and making unfavorable comparisons. She got up before it was still dark. I had rolled out of bed around 8:30 am. She was well dressed in fine linen and purple. I was in a baggy, terrycloth robe with my hair pulled up in an orange chip clip. She held the distaff while grasping the spindle with her fingers (not sure what those things are, but I’m certain they contributed to her noble character). I held the dust buster to the crumbs on my bed sheets while grasping the empty bag of Doritos. She provided good food for her family and was always on top of things. I offered a choice of Burger King or McDonalds and felt the weight of my unaccomplished to-do list crashing down on me.
In comparison, I didn’t measure up. I felt anxious, defeated and disappointed in myself.
I wanted to be the wife who was always cheerful, never irritable, and only said words that edified, encouraged and built up. I wanted to be the mom who never lost it and only spoke with kindness, wisdom and faithful instruction. But, as hard as I tried, I always wound up blowing it in some way.
I just couldn’t achieve the “good Christian” status I desired.
Through prayer and studying God’s Word, I began to realize that no matter how hard I tried, I would never achieve being the perfect Christian. I learned that the battle of victorious Christian living could not be won by sheer willpower or by teeth-gritting determination, but by tucking myself underneath the full armor of God and trusting that God is not only fighting for me, but He’s already won the battle.
In measuring our self-worth in accordance with our own performances, we not only become anxious, but we miss out on experiencing the peace and rest of who we truly are in Christ.
Our worth is not based on what we do or don’t do. It’s not based on our successes and failures. It’s not even based on whether we sin a little or sin a lot.
Our worth is based solely on Christ and the atoning work He has done on our behalf. We are His children, purchased at a price, forgiven and fully redeemed.
Embracing this wonderful truth brings about freedom. It’s the freedom to forget about ourselves and lay down our measuring rods of self-worth and ongoing scrutiny. It’s the freedom to release the suffocating anxiety our weaknesses cause, and instead take hold of God’s grace given to us through the cross.
Join me today in letting go of performance-based worth and self-imposed expectations. May we purpose to rest in the victory Christ has already won and truly experience the rich and satisfying joy of Guiltless Living!
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, help me to understand and accept that my worth is not based on my own performance or on being a “good Christian,” but on You and what You have done for me. You say in Your Word that no one is righteous except You. Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross, winning victory over sin on my behalf. Thank You for loving me, forgiving me, cleansing me and clothing me in Your righteousness. Help me to rest in the freedom of guiltless living based on Your atoning work at Calvary.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Does your emotional state vary in accordance with your own performances as a Christian, whether those performances leave you feeling defeated or prideful?
How is feeling defeated when you blow it not relying on Christ for your worth?
How is feeling prideful when you experience spiritual success dishonoring to God?
More from the Girlfriends
Because I have struggled so much with the issue of performance-based self-worth, I have a great compassion for other struggling women. I can relate and understand the mental, spiritual and physical exhaustion that comes from this way of living. If you are one of these women, it is my deep desire that you lay down your measuring rod of self-worth and stop beating yourself up. I desire this so much that I wrote a book (complete with a seven week Bible Study) to help you experience the freedom of Guiltless Living.
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