Day 6: FORGIVEN (+ Reason Why #3)
Why We G.R.I.P.E.
Continuing our exploration of the 5 goals of complaining+ (via the acronym G.R.I.P.E):
I = Inspire Envy
Complaining is a subtle form of bragging we use to make others want to be more like us, to admire us, to accept us.
When I complain about the driver in front of me, I’m implying that compared to them, I am a highly-skilled driver.
Or I point out a flat note during a church musical number. (Which I noticed because I am such a music aficionado.)
Or I put down a movie that my friends enjoyed. (Which shows that I am a deep thinker.)
Each PURSE-onality does it differently, but we share this tendency to complain as a way to “show off” how good–and even (if we’re honest) how much better–we are.
Bad Behavior
Many e-mails and comments have a similar theme:
- “Ouch.”
- “Convicted!”
- “I’m suddenly realizing how much I complain.”
- “God led me to this study.”
- “I think I’m the exact person you’re trying to reform with this Challenge.”
And I am delighted to hear that what I’m sharing is meaningful!
Behavior Danger
But I also want to be really clear:
The focus of The PURSE-onality Challenge is not our bad behavior.
Yes, we’re inviting the Holy Spirit to make us aware of our complaining, criticism, gossip, and sarcasm.
But once aware of our bad habits, I don’t want us to dwell on them.
Because the temptation, at least for me, is that I try to fix my self.
To improve my bad behavior. All by myself.
- To work harder at complaining less. All by myself.
- And the danger is that I may actually succeed, all by myself.
Succeed just enough that I feel better.
Feel good.
Smug, even.
- As if I’ve “made up” for my bad behavior…all by myself.
- As if I really can get better…all by myself.
Better Behavior vs. Forgiveness
Years ago, I heard Bryan Duncan discuss the lies we tell ourselves. This one, especially, hit home for me:
“I don’t deserve to be forgiven and I’m not worthy to be redeemed.
Why the lie?
Because then I might have to be grateful to God for his unmerited favor.
I might just have to appreciate what God has done for me, for what I could not do for myself!
This lie sounds real humble, but turned inside out it is arrogance because I don’t want to need salvation at all.
I want to be self-sustained!”
Behavior or Savior?
Our greatest need is not better behavior. Our greatest need is a Savior. (click to tweet this.)
(Can’t view the image? Click here to download Ephesians 1:7)
God forgave (past tense) our sins.
We don’t need to focus on our behavior–bad or better.
We need to focus on Jesus.
- As we know Jesus better, we’ll behave better.
- As we know God’s forgiveness better, we’ll behave better.
Not all by ourselves.
All by His kindness and His grace.
Try this today
Spend time in your favorite gospel, getting to know Jesus better!
leave a comment
- responding to today’s blog, and/or
- sharing your Day #1-6 experience of replacing “baditude” with God’s word and gratitude, and/or
- about anything else on your heart!
Rely, trust, rely, trust, obey! He already paid the price for all of my iniquities – I just have to keep relying on Him and trusting that ONLY through Him will I ever be joyful and not so critical!!! I certainly cannot do this on my own! Thank you for reminding me NOT to beat myself up, but rather to obey and just work really hard and listening to what God wants me to do each day!
I’m really enjoying your posts. I’m saving them in a folder and hope to share them with friends here.
We need to forgive others as we are forgiven through Jesus…and that includes ourselves.
So grateful for this challenge. Thank you, Cheri!
Thank you for this study. I will remember every time I complain that I am really bragging about what I can do. It really isn’t what I can do but what I can do with God’s help, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Praise God!
I’m finally caught up!!! 🙂 I am very thankful for the breakdown or “GRIPE”. It is eye opening and so very true. I also liked that today’s post reminded us not to focus on the negative behavior we exhibit, or areas of life that need improvement. I have the bad habit of seeing something wrong and working overtime to see how I can fix it. When God helps me see where I need to let him in to work on me I am going to thank him for the positive that will come and not the negative that was.
I am grateful for your reminder to not dwell on the bad behavior! As I spend more time abiding in Christ, I am convicted, forgiven, and transformed. I don’t want to figure out how I ended up with these bad behaviors, I just want to be rid of them and live abundantly in the pure heart He gives me.
I’ve always focused on my bad behaviors but I’m trying to change that. I know that the only way to change my pessimistic thoughts is to ask God to change me from the inside out and surround myself with optimistic people. I’m learning to set boundaries and I know that God is going to help me change all of the negativity in my life to something positive. Praise God for His unfailing love!
I love the part where you said, “We don’t need to focus on our behavior, we need to focus on Jesus.” What a truth! Thank You Jesus for doing what I can’t!!
Jesus has already forgiven ALL our sins. When we mess up, we need to not focus on what we did wrong, but turn and do right. Learn from it. Maybe, even, we can help others in the future (who want/need help, not who we think need help!)
God gives us the understanding it is always there…
He gives us strength through him and his word
Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I am getting started a little late too, but have the emails to reflect back! Lots of great thing to think about. We have a choice, which way will we choose!
I love the words for the day and the Bible verses. They really keep me focused on Jesus. This is such a great study!
I have been focusing more on the good than the bad. Yesterday I didn’t want to clean house…remembered it blessed my family and I am to do all as if I’m doing it for God. Turned on Mandisa and Francesca B. playlist and had fun worshipping and cleaning and doing laundry. Made it a much better day
Heidi J
YES!!! I don’t need a better behavior nearly as much as I need my Savior!!!
This song (Satisfied) is perfect for me! Hallelujah I HAVE found Him; through His blood I am saved!!! ~Sarah
SATISFIED
1.
All my life I had a longing
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Refrain
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.
2.
Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
Refrain
3.
Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
Refrain
4.
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
Refrain
I am a few days behind but I just started this morning. Thank you for doing this. I really appreciate it.
I am beloved! Thanks for that. Oh, I also am reminded about how I don’t treat my precious children as I should.
God Bless,
Kim in NC