So how do we do this? How do we move forward and re-engage after a time of such introspection? After a time of such heated conflict? When elements of that conflict still exist and will continue to exist for some time? When relationships seem so much more fragile now than they used to be. When depth of relationship feels impossible?
I think sometimes we can believe that our being ashamed of how inadequate we are is the same as humility. It’s not. Shame makes us feel unfix-able. Shame makes us feel not good enough, yet expecting ourselves to be good enough. How can we measure up to those kind of expectations? We can’t.
What’s been shaken up in your life? What has you off balance? To what degree? Are you still walking straight? Little wobbly? Clinging to the side rails? Hanging on for dear life? Completely disoriented without knowing which way is up?
When I’m trying to do it myself, it’s because I believe I “should”. Like I owe someone something.
I don’t. And you don’t. All that we owe has already been paid.
I used to see the pride in our accomplishments, our hustle, our covering up of our vulnerability to show how awesome we are…how we have it all together. Well, we don’t. And now everyone knows it.
In layman’s terms, I think God is telling us here to enjoy our lives, pursuing that which satisfies rather than worrying about or striving for those things which He is already taking care of for us. God desires to give good things to His people, and that includes an abundant, full and satisfying life.
When I speak of being the master of our fear, I do not mean that we stifle the fear, pushing it down and pretending it’s not there. That’s unhealthy. I mean that we are the authority over it. We run it. It doesn’t run us. The fear is there, whether we like it or not. It’s what we do with it that makes the difference.
