I am not usually one to be too hard on myself for too long. I would like to say that I "pass" at getting over things quickly. But not everyone in my household is like that. Mr. Tanner has the very same ability at "passing" in the 'get over it' and the 'risk taking' department, but Coach and Brett are a bit harder on themselves when things go wrong.
In our bulletin the other day was an insert called Better Families. Coach and I like to read it because they are small articles that are relatable to every day life. And they make you think...big time. Sometimes even more than I'd like. For instance...this verse was on the bottom of the back page of the insert...
"Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much." ~James 1:26
Uhmmmm...ouch. That stings my heart a bit and I know why. I often have a sharp tongue and would like to openly say that I completely 'fail' sometimes. I can say that my religion is worth everything to me...but if I have a sharp tongue...and say ugly things...I am fooling myself. Straight from the Bible. Ugh. Will be needing to work on that a bit more.
But what I wanted to share with you is called the Learning Curve.
Some people are passive because they are afraid to fail. The internal pain they experience when they make mistakes is so great they become paralyzed and unable to take charge of their decisions. People with perfectionist issues often deal with this struggle. They feel all bad, self condemned, or a total failure. Thus they stay in a safety zone in their spiritual growth and rarely take a risk.
God has a solution for this problem. When we experience those inevitable mistakes in spiritual growth, we need to know that failure is our friend. God does not condemn or judge us, even when our hearts condemn us (I John 3:19-20). It simply means that we are experiencing a learning curve. Don't be afraid of mistakes as you try out different ways of living life. God has paid the price for this so that we can keep growing without loss of love or security. Henry Cloud, PhD: Dr. John Townsend, How People Grow
I think it is so important for all of us to realize that we are never done fully growing in Christ. And with religion and faith comes doing things that are sometimes out of our comfort zone. Pastor Rick talked about this in church on Sunday. Taking risks in worship...and really, truly putting yourself out there for God. Not caring about what others think. That is so hard for people in a worship environment...if they aren't fully giving themselves to Him. Afraid of what others think? Forget about it...God does not condemn us or judge us...the Bible tells me so. So take the risk...and don't worry about the pass/fail part. God wants us to give fully of ourselves. And no worries...I won't be inviting anyone over for dinner until I master the art of cooking...don't hold your breath.
Have a Blessed Day!
Amy
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