The Curse of Never Measuring Up

The curse of never measuring up...the first time I ever heard that phrase was in a sermon almost 15 years ago. It struck me then and I've never forgotten that phrase or the message given that day. The curse of never measuring up is the curse of the law. It is the opposite of grace. The sermon was from the book of Romans and laid out law vs. grace as I had never really heard it before. I've dealt through the years with situations that have reminded me often of that phrase...that conflict between law and grace, and I truly thought I had overcome that curse. I guess I had taken huge steps away from living under the curse, but I had never really become free as The Lord intends for me to be.

Well, The Lord has been faithful to teach me so much lately in this area of struggle, and my heart feels an urgency to share that with you! I am writing this today to say that I no longer choose to live under that curse! I've already been freed from it through the blood of the lamb but have been living like a captive to it!! No longer! Freedom!!! I will no longer live as one who has to please man...under the fear of man. I've believed IN it for years and made every attempt to live in freedom, but finally for the first time ever I am choosing by the power if the Holy Spirit that resides in me to live like I believe it! To walk it out by His strength. To submit to His Spirit, allowing Him to do a work in and through me in this area.  NO human being will ever have hold of me again under the grip of fear. I reject all such nonsense in the name of Jesus, and by His blood! I now BELIEVE. I receive the freedom already given to me through Jesus Christ to never again live under the curse of never measuring up. My audience is one and ONLY one! I live for HIM and Him alone! I'm done cowering around in my soul as a weak, fearful slave who is afraid of the whip about to crack down on her back from who knows where next. Done!!! I am no longer a slave. I am a free, much loved child of God! I am victorious through Him, not because I say so or any other man says so, but because HE says so! Not by MY might but by HIS power! I'm ready to start living passionately and freely again. No more of the devil's nonsense...he has NO authority over me or my family!! Break every chain, Lord!! No more wasting my energy and my life, as the enemy would have me do, on pleasing others and trying to gain favor. I so desire for everyone to understand me, to be at peace with each other, and for every motive of my heart to be understood. Those are not all bad traits, but can become absolutely consuming if the enemy takes advantage of them and cripples you through them.  It's an uphill, losing battle, and accomplishes nothing more than making you a weary warrior. I've wasted so much time and strength trying to fight battles the enemy loves seeing me fight, because he knows I will never win them, but they will make me worn out for the REAL battles that I need to be engaged in by the power of the Holy Spirit that DO produce fruit and bring victory for the sake of the kingdom. It is Finished! Freedom! I crush the head of the enemy by the authority given to me through Jesus Christ! No more! I don't expect to please every man. I know I will not, and as challenging as that is for me, I am not accountable to man...I am accountable to my Father in heaven who created me, loves me, and has never once given up on me...or you!

I know I am not alone in this. My challenge to you today is to allow the mighty power of the living God to break every chain in your life holding you back from moving forward and living freely in Him as He intended! He never intended for us to walk around with our heads hanging down, feeling empty and ashamed, feeling we will never be good enough or ever do good enough. He came to redeem and He will never, ever stop  being in the business of redeeming no matter what. Jesus Christ came that we might have life and have it to the fullest!!! Life that is truly life!!! No more hiding behind fear of man, the curse of never measuring up, or any of that nonsense. Life is too short for that. Jesus is the giver of life and the giver of freedom no matter what comes your way! Our Redeemer Lives! Now let's help one another live in the freedom He offers!