Accepting Our Limitations

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

Psalm 103:13-14

THE PRESSURES WE FACE AS men are enormous and can sometimes be overwhelming. Most of us are expected to balance the often competing roles of husband, father, provider, disciple, and friend. The expectations concerning our performance in each of these roles can reach a kind of merciless perfectionism that leaves us intolerant and harshly judgmental of anything less than what we consider our very best. We burn ourselves out because there is always something that needs to be done or needs to be done better.

As great as it might be to live a life without any limits, it simply cannot be done. Thankfully, God has no trouble remembering that “we are only dust.” He has compassion on us in our limited human capacity. Though we often forget this basic fact of our creation, God has a way of constantly reminding us that we are needy and that we can’t make it on our own.

Rather than attempting to deny our limitations, we must learn to accept that we are His creation and that He has a long history of working with those who have limited resources. How is God reminding you of your complete dependence on Him today? Recognizing our weakness is actually a great blessing. It’s much better to live according to reality than to deny the truth and exhaust ourselves attempting to do more and be more than God has intended.

BOTTOM LINE

Our limitations are not a surprise to God. Ask Him to help you learn how to accept your limitations and rest in Him.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 46:10