Have you ever heard someone say, “Just be you”…
What does that mean?
Is that easy to do?
Galatians 1:10 “Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God?
Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
It’s hard to "Just be you..."
It's tough to live in your own skin at times, especially, if your past has had moments where it has made it an difficult place to dwell in.
"Being you" means facing all of you - the good, the bad, the broken, and the harmed areas tucked away that we don't want to deal with and don't want others to know about.
We all have some level of inner struggle going on -
Today I want to keep it simple
The "Fear of Failure": So what effects does Fear of Failure have on us?
PERFECTIONISM
One of the most common symptoms of the fear of failure is perfectionism: an unwillingness to fail. This tendency suffocates joy and creativity, and because any failure is a threat, it focuses our attention on the one thing that we failed at rather than the ten things that went well.
PRIDE
When a person bases his self-worth on his performance and is successful, it leads to an overblown view of himself: pride. The self-confidence that most of us try to portray is only a disguise to hide our fear of failure and insecurity.
AVOIDING RISKS
People are willing to be involved in activities only if they can do them well. They avoid new and challenging activities because the risk of failure is too great. Avoiding risks may seem comfortable to them, but it severely limits the possibility of creativity and self-expression, and also, it limits the possibility of their service to God.
ANXIETY AND FEAR
If failure is great enough or occurs often enough, it can harden into a negative self-concept in which the person expects to fail at virtually everything. This negative self-concept continues leading to a downward spiral of failure and depression. Which then becomes a very unhealthy cycle!
DEPRESSION
This is an extreme side effect of the fear of failure. Experiencing failure and fearing more failure can lead people into deep depression. Once depressed, many people start giving up, believing there is no hope for change.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
This is an extreme side effect of the fear of failure. Many people attempt to ease the pain and fear of failure by using drugs or alcohol. Although the chemicals are supposed to remove the pressure to perform, the immediate pleasure felt quickly turns back to despair of realizing your need for that quick fix to numb or hide.
So, is there hope?
How do we find freedom in facing our fears?
God is a God of hope, healing and true happiness.
But God has set us free from the fear of failure!
He has given us a secure self-worth found only in Him -completely removed from this worlds expectations and demands.
Here are some verses that can help you know that your worth is not based on what you can or cannot do?
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness
Take a few moments to process this truth : You were created in the image of God!
You have special gifts for a purpose, you have special talents for a purpose, you were created for a special purpose - Everything about you has a special purpose!
God is perfect and purposeful in all He is and all He does…
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
How can knowing that the Power of God dwells within you (if you are a true follower of Christ) help you “Be yourself?”
Take a few moments to write down how this truth can help you overcome areas you are struggling with.
Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
How does this verse help you know you are special? God doesn’t make JUNK or make MISTAKES!
Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 103:13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Can you do anything to earn G
od’s favor? No…but we live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with that mindset-
When God just says…
John 10:9-11 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
How good is it to know that you don’t have to “Be or Do” something spectacular to be loved by God more than you already are…nothing you do can make Him love you more that He already does…
Your significance is NOT- Nor will it ever be in the “What you can do’s”
" Just being you" is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Let's pray:
God, we ask that you help us to let go of the fear of failure, and to let go of the need to be someone you did not create us to be. Lord help us to know we no longer have to fear letting others down if we are seeking to honor you and know that our significance is found in our relationship with you. Thank you for your freeing love Jesus, Amen.
