Isn't it true that when we do good people will like us? For example, if we help clean our house or apartment, our parents are pleased. If we are performing well at our job, we may get promoted or given a raise. If we are doing well at school, we get good grades, and our parents are happy. In a way, our mind is programmed that if we do well, we will be accepted or rewarded. As a result, we do our best to do well because if we do well, we will be accepted and liked. However, even when we do our best, when we make mistakes, we feel bad because people might judge us that we are not good enough; thus, they will not like us.
Unfortunately, this type of behavior trickles down to our relationship with God. We try to prove to our God that we are worth saving through our good works. If we do good, then God will accept and reward us. And if we fail and do bad things, God will reject and judge us. As a result, we feel like we are always alienated from God and not fully accepted. We doubt God's love towards us every time we sin. However, God operates differently than how we feel about our relationship with Him. Our relationship with Him is not based on our performance. God accepted and knew us before He created the heavens and the earth. He came to our world to save us from our sin and to change us to be the people that God wants us to be.
When I was very young in my faith in the Lord, I made a mistake, and I felt terrible, and I decided to walk away from my faith because I thought that I would never be good enough. However, God showed me in His Word that my relationship with Him was not based on my performance. God saved me because He loved me as I am and not what I could do for Him. From that time on, I loved Him more because I knew that God would always be with me no matter what happened. He promised me that if I make a mistake, He will make it right, and when I sin, God will forgive me and will continue to change my heart.
Ask yourself these questions: Is my relationship with God is based on my good performance? Does God still love me when I make mistakes or sin?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you that you love me as I am. Thank you that my relationship with you is not based on what I do, but it is based on your faithful love towards me. Please help me to always trust in your love. Please help me now with (mention your prayer requests). In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.