Have you asked this question?
We search and inspect, looking for every flaw. We measure and count, grading and comparing that which is precious before God.
Day 6: My Soul, why are you so hard on yourself?
As if.
As if we are the judge and the jury. Truly, we are often kinder to others than to ourselves.
What if I learn to let go of the standards I have defined for myself? How freeing to stop trying to press myself into a mold.
You know the kind I’m talking about.
Perfection disguised behind my if only’s.
- If only I were 25 pounds thinner.
- If only I were smarter, funnier, prettier…
- If only I were more faithful and brave.
- If only I were more organized, more prepared, more thoughtful…
- If only I hadn’t said that or done this.
If only…
I’m not sure what’s on your list, but believe me, we’ve all got a list of what we think we should be, what we should have done, and we could go on and on until tomorrow has run out of minutes.
Going through the motions doesn’t please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered. Psalm51:16-17 msg
Isn’t it time?
When we press the tally marks against our soul and the shame of our failures cause us to stumble…it’s time.
When the hidden faults and secret sins fester and drag us down…its time.
When we find ourselves going through the motions with God, hands busy but heart empty…it’s time.
When we’ve swallowed rejection and believed the lies that echo in our hearts… it’s time.
Soul search is a gift that sets us right.
It’s time to let go of the expectations that wear away our souls. It’s time to stop hiding behind strengths and achievements. It’s time to let God take over the true gift of soul search. His soul search sets us right, unlike the judgment and condemnation of our own hearts.
O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.–Psalm 139:1-3
God sees through eyes of love…
The truth that we’ve long denied, the resentments stuffed down so deep we’ve almost forgotten–He understands.
Pride’s shortfall that mourns in our souls, grieving what we’re not, what we should be–He knows.
His soul search shows us the strivings and coping of our self-life trying to fix it all on our own.
These are but a few of the bits and pieces we’ve hoarded in our flesh. And this is our need ask for God’s true and right soul search.
For it is God’s loving soul search that sets us free to run forgiven in wide fields of grace.
Thoughts for searching…
How can letting God show us the truth inside–what is good and precious as well as what needs to change–set us free?
When you think of God searching you, do you only think of judgment, or do you also think of encouragement?
Have you ever considered that some of the hurtful ways in our hearts are aimed at ourselves rather than others?
I’d love for you to leave a comment today so we can be encouraged that we are not in this alone.
For it is God’s loving soul search that sets us free to run forgiven in wide fields of grace.
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
You are right, “Truly, we are often kinder to others than to ourselves.” Thank you for this reminder today.
Ginger – love this! What beautiful words and genuine reminders of who we are in Christ and what we tell ourselves sometimes…and the vast difference between the two. Great post!
Love this idea of soul searching. Giving over our what if’s and seeking “what it is”…his truths. 🙂 I think I have a lot of pieces hoarded in my flesh. Ouch! Great job Ginger.
As a reading specialists dyslexia teacher, I think all this measuring up starts in school. It is so stressful to keep up with everyone your same age like we are all cookie cutter humans who grow at the same rate. I hate it for those late bloomers – some of them never catch up. Grade are such a crazy measuring stick anyway – but they are the first real ones we are submitted to. There should be a kinder and more real way to educated children – Maria Montessori certainly had one.
Hi Ginger ~ As many times as I’ve heard the verse, “Search me, O God”, I have never thought about Him searching me and seeing all of the lovely, positive things about me. This was such a powerful imagery for me and so very comforting! Thank you so much for this!
You are so speaking to my heart in this post. I so loved.
Much love. xoxo
There’s a theme in the blogs I’m visiting and they are PERFECT for me; one who is struggling with feelings of inadequacy. Thank you for this!
Cathy Baker was right, Ginger. This is some solid truth 🙂 He HAS searched us and loves us anyway. What a hope we have in Him!
Soul searching is not easy–but it does bring comfort to know that God employs constructive criticism and NOT condemnation (that would be the devil talking). Thank you for sharing your post at Inspire Me Mondays.
I think one of my many favorite verses is Romans 8:1, There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ! I was happy to discover your link up. What a blessing it has been to build relationships with other bloggers through sharing our work.