Trying to be better often leads to despair. What does it mean to reject perfectionism and accept the peace and joy that Jesus promised? Listen to Susie’s powerful conversation with author Sandra McCollom about how she learned to rest in God.
In Sandra’s book, , she shares her story.
“I was born-again at the age of eight… I remember my mom and my sister and I sitting in a circle and her leading us to Jesus. For whatever reason, I turned very quickly to a works-mentality. I did really genuinely love Jesus so much, I went into this works mode of trying to please [Him]. I did not understand that He was already pleased with me!”
After nearly forty years of striving, Sandra surrendered her break-neck pace and constant frustration to God and asked Him to do a work in her life. The results were stunning.
Here are the truths Sandra and Susie unpack.
• Guidelines and healthy living are not inherently bad; the question is where you are putting your trust.
• Perfectionism can impact our loves ones and put strain on those relationships.
• Living under grace changes the way you think about day-to-day tasks.
• Frustration is a sign that you’re not living under the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Our growth in Christ is accelerated when we learn to receive God’s grace in the midst of our failures. Sandra uses her own battle with a temper as an example; when she stopped and realized God loved her even when she got angry and exploded at a loved one, things shifted.
Sandra offers this lesson. “[I learned to] turn away from everything I’ve done wrong and turn toward everything Jesus did right. The freedom is in receiving His grace – not from trying to pay for our sins through guilt and condemnation. When we learn to remain in Him, then we can live in rest and peace.”
Key Scriptures: Romans 6:14
Theme Song: He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli
