Tuesday, August 03, 2010

The Only Way to Be Free From My Flaws


I have a problem.

It crops up in little ways, in taking the comment of another too close to heart, in admiring the beautiful qualities of women around me, in wanting to be something I'm not. I work on improving myself yet am never satisfied knowing another area of weakness is always ready to be addressed. I don't enjoy small victories. My mind rests on me too much and I berate myself for being so self-centered.

I confuse wanting to be my best for God with wanting to be the best, and am left feeling defeated.

“Instead of trying to fix yourself, fix your gaze on Me, the lover of your soul. Rather than using your energy to judge yourself, redirect it to praising Me. Remember that I see you clothed in my righteousness, radiant in My perfect love.”

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
by Sarah Young

I want to be perfect. And I'm not. I never will be, this side of heaven. I'm staring at me and all my flaws instead of gazing at Jesus and resting in His presence. How can I be free from myself and my obsessed thinking? As Paul said in Romans 7:24, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"

Only One.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace.

Make it so, Lord.

Read what others have to say about this quote by visiting our host Debbie at Heart Choices.

6 comments:

Debbie Petras said...

Oh Tami, you express your heart so beautifully. In wanting to be your best, you are left feeling defeated. We will never be perfect this side of eternity. We still have that old flesh to contend with. But how wonderful that we are not left alone to our own devices.

Jesus loves you just as you are. You are so precious in His sight. As you wrote down the words to that song "turn your eyes upoon Jesus".

That is good advice for me too. Thank you.

Blessings and love,
Debbie

Miriam Pauline said...

"I end up feeling defeated" Me too, my friend, me too. You said this so well--and gave the solution so succinctly. Going to work on turning my eyes toward him today. Bless you!

Denise said...

Amen, wonderfully said.

GodsOwn/Bernice said...

That vers from Paul always strikes me....
You word the struggle very well.

Have an great day
Bernice

Karen said...

Oh that little tidbit of a song at the end says it all doesn't it. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. That is the place to start and end. The things in the middle will all fall into place.

Loni said...

Thank you for sharing so personally, again! And the song . . . a personal favorite that always stings my eyes. It was sung at our baby girl's funeral. :)

Always enjoy your thoughts!