Everyone likes the idea of being first. The world may tell us there’s nothing wrong with always putting ourselves first, but this type of mindset actually sets us up for pain and disappointment. Many of us may operate under the belief that we are our own source of everything we need; we therefore can become frustrated and bitter when we learn our limitations. However, depending on Jesus Christ as our source, instead of on ourselves, frees us from those limitations and reveals that we can do anything through Him who strengthens us.

Taking ourselves out of the center of every situation and putting Christ there instead makes a huge difference. Getting hung up on how others treat us keeps us focused on ourselves; conversely, paying attention to how we treat others leads us right back to Jesus. The hurts we suffer are the result of self-centeredness, and self-centeredness is the result of falling from God’s grace back into our own efforts. If we want to be free from self-centeredness, we must keep anger and bitterness from taking root in our lives.

Trusting in the finished works of Jesus, instead of what we do, helps us avoid the spiritual dangers of self-effort. Relying on our own performance is bound to bring disappointment. We’re not the source of our prosperity, our abundance, or our deliverance. Things change for the better when we stop being preoccupied with ourselves, and instead focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

It’s tempting to stay in the center of whatever happens, but that only makes us like lightning rods for the fiery darts of our enemy, the devil. Faith in what Christ did to free us from self-effort shields us from that temptation. When we’re tired and worn out, and need to take a real rest from constantly performing for others, leaning on Jesus’ unforced rhythms of grace gives us a level of freedom we never knew existed.

Prayer:

Father God, Your favor toward us means we don’t have to rely on ourselves in order to live successful lives. Faith in Your Son frees us from self-centeredness, and from all the negative emotions it brings. We’re grateful for this. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

Philippians 4:13

Galatians 5:4

Hebrews 12:2, 15

Ephesians 6:16

Matthew 11:28-30, MSG

For more on how relying on God’s grace instead of on our own efforts impacts our lives, click on the link below for the five-message series, Ten Ways to Respond to Grace.