Daily Power #144

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died. (2 Cor. 5:14 ESV)

After I’d been preaching a while, my physical symptoms of anxiety began to fade. However, I continued to second-guess myself. After speaking or preaching, convinced I’d done a horrible job, I’d avoid interacting with anyone.

However, one Sunday I thought, “That message wasn’t so bad—I did okay and I’m getting better.” So I went to the door, finally courageous enough to talk to people on their way out of church.

The very first woman to approach me was a sweet, tiny lady in her late seventies. She walked up and patted me on the shoulder, and I prepared to receive her generous words. Knowing what a kind, devoted, lifelong Christian she was, I expected to hear, “That was a fine sermon!”

Instead, she said, “Nice try. You know, if you keep practicing, you might just be a real preacher one day!”

I did my best to keep smiling, even though her words punctured my already deflated ego, carving my old insecurities deeper than ever before.

Can you relate? Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you feel like your best just isn’t good enough. You try to please everyone in your life and yet no one seems satisfied. You feel inadequate, inferior, and afraid of being found out.

But God says you are enough.

The love of Christ is what controls you now.

No matter what others may say or forget to say, don’t let their feedback slow you down. Keep taking risks to do what God has called you to do.

Power Lift

Dear Lord, I get discouraged when others criticize me or tear me down. Help me to rise above those moments and concentrate only on pleasing you.