I lived most of my growing up years worrying about what others thought. My parents were all about meeting the expectations of extended family members, neighbors, school, and the community. Whether I wanted to or not, ‘volunteering’ for extra chores and duties was a must. I think much of that attitude was healthy but the goal I interpreted was totally wrong. I felt the goal was to meet others’s standards rather than honor God, or even reflect what I learned from an activity I hope I did not transfer these wrong motives to my own kids, and Hope I’ve matured enough to re-prioritize my life to follow His leading rather than feel guilty for nearly everything I do. Guilt for what I did or didn’t do les to self shame that I could never measure up. Those ghosts still come out of the shadows at times but God is full of grace, hope, and love.
“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that” (Proverbs 29:25 MSG).
“Worry implies that we don't quite trust God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.
Stress says the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control.
Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we've been forgiven, that our lives are brief ... and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small, indeed.” - Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
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