Praying Grace for WomenSample

Breathe

The relentless striving for perfection. The never-ending struggle to meet everyone’s expectations. Heaven forbid you let anyone down or disappoint any of the multitude of people who are counting on you. Then there’s your most brutal critic of all—your own inner voice. It’s exhausting, isn’t it?

What’s worse, we often carry that same frantic dynamic right into our relationship with God. In fact, we often think of Him as if He’s the fussiest, most demanding person in our lives. Too many daughters of God relate to Him as if He were a harsh, perfectionist father who simply can’t be pleased. The dad you love and admire but who you’re always disappointing. The one whose approval always seems just out of reach.

That is a false perception that the enemy of your soul is more than happy to help perpetuate. Here’s the truth that destroys that lie. Hebrews chapter 4 describes salvation as an invitation to enter into an ongoing, never-ending “Sabbath rest.”

The Sabbath was a designated day under the Old Covenant in which no one was to work or strive. It was created to be a blessing, but the Israelites ultimately turned it into another religious box to check, as we humans so often do. Another achievement to be proud of.

That’s what religion does. It takes things God designed to bless and help us and drains them of all joy—turning them into yet another obligation to meet, rule to follow, or yardstick for measuring yourself against others.

Living life in this fallen, twisted world will always require effort. But God’s invitation to “Sabbath rest” means that your relationship with Him shouldn’t. In Jesus, the striving to please Him is over. Jesus pleased Him on your behalf. Daughter of God, you can lay down the struggle to qualify. Jesus was and is your complete qualification.

What’s left is simply to enjoy what Adam and Eve forfeited: enjoying God. Never again having to worry whether you’ve done enough to make Him happy. Never again fretting about measuring up to some impossible standard. Jesus measured up on your behalf.

Rest. Breathe.

Grace Declaration:

Father, You have invited me to join You in an ongoing, never-ending Sabbath rest. I will not keep You waiting. Beginning today, I cease struggling to qualify for or earn Your love and acceptance. Jesus, You are my qualification. You measured up on my behalf. So, I rest in You. I breathe.