It’s Not A Humble Brag

CAN WE TALK ABOUT Christmas for a second? You might be reading this in the heat of summer, but this lesson applies to every season, so I want to share it anyway.

We all talk a big game about not being too busy and not getting overwhelmed at the holidays. We all know we should slow down and enjoy the season instead. But there are so many things out of our control, and life never goes the way we plan. Despite our best efforts, we still end up busy and overwhelmed. Last Christmas, after feeling discouraged that another Christmas was about to go by without any significant slowdown, God hit me with a much-needed reality check:

• You are human.
• You have finite resources.
• You won’t do everything on your list.
• You won’t get the perfect present for everyone.
• You won’t have twenty-five days of calm and deep meaning.
• You may ruin the entire meal you prepare for guests.
• You might have the toddler who screams all through the Christmas service.

But guess what? If we could control all those things on our own, we wouldn’t need Jesus.

Bam.

Release every bit of guilt you have about being too busy. Sure, we should try to prioritize our time in a way that reflects what’s in our hearts, but if things don’t slow down, may this overwhelmed feeling remind us of our overwhelming need for Jesus. Let every moment we feel like we don’t measure up or can’t do it on our own remind us that this is actually the reason Jesus came. He came to save us because we couldn’t save ourselves. Luke 19:10 says, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (NIV). Jesus didn’t come to watch us be perfect. He didn’t come to cheer us on or even encourage us. He came to save us. If you feel like you are drowning, that’s the gospel coming to life. Grab hold of it. May every moment of weakness in your day be a chance to revel in the grace of a merciful God.

Paul describes his thorn in the flesh this way: “Each time [the Lord] said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). I love that Paul boasts about his weakness. At first I thought this sounded a little showy of him, like he was trying to outdo every other believer. He’s not just okay with his weaknesses, but he’s actually boasting about them? Seriously, Paul?

On my really rough days, though, I start to piece together where Paul is coming from. It’s not a humble brag. He knows full well that no matter how hard he tries, he will never come close to achieving the power of Christ at work in him. That means that if Christ’s power shows up when he’s weak and surrendered, he’s going to be stronger than if he had relied on his own ability.

Momma, I have no idea what’s going to come your way today, but I do know this: if we start treating every weak moment the way Paul did instead of letting it riddle us with guilt, our days will radically change. We don’t have to be afraid of not measuring up. We don’t have to let guilt consume us and distract us from our kids. We don’t have to feel insecure with our spouses. And for goodness’ sake, we can stop believing the lie that someone could parent our kids better than we could. God picked you. He came to save you. He doesn’t want perfection from you; he wants you to be made perfect in your weakness.

So rest, momma. You aren’t starting this day behind the curve. You are right where you need to be. And he’s right there with you.

ACTION STEP

Write down three of your biggest hang-ups or things you feel guilty over. Ask God to fill up that weakness and make you stronger than you ever imagined.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for each of my weaknesses. Give me the power to resist the temptation to feel guilty about them. Instead, may I boast in my weakness and invite your power to work in me. I know the outcome will be better than anything I could come up with in my own strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.

MORNING QUESTIONS

TAKEAWAY TODAY | When do you tend to feel most overwhelmed?

How does it feel to know that Paul struggled with his weaknesses too?

DREADING TODAY | Is there anything you’re dreading today?

REDEFINING TODAY | If so, what is another way you can view that thing you’re dreading?

ASKING GOD TODAY | What request are you bringing before the Lord today?

EVENING QUESTIONS

REFLECTION | In what ways did you sense God refining you through your weaknesses today?

LITTLE VICTORIES | Where did you see God show up even in small ways, reminding you that you aren’t alone?

WHITE FLAG MOMENTS | When did you want to hide or escape today?

MEMORY OF THE DAY | What do you want to relish and thank God for?