Take the Pressure Off!

Have you ever felt that the weight of the world was on your shoulders? Deadlines to meet, chores to get done, and a social life to maintain. The problem isn't these things. Most times it's the standards that we put on ourselves WHILE we do these things. Perfectionists might see this as "doing it right or not doing it at all". That's a ton of pressure! I want to encourage you to begin to take the pressure off of yourself by taking a different approach to how you talk to yourself: with self-compassion and love.

There is something so healing about talking to yourself with love. Instead of beating yourself up over what you don't do right, how about acknowledging what you do love about yourself? Sure you didn't get the grade you wanted on your exam, but you know that you were diligent enough to study all night and still show up the next morning with a smile on your face. I have seen the healing and transformative effects of taking the pressure off of myself by doing this. I've realized I don't have to meet all of these unlofty and unattainable standards I have pronounced over myself. I'm good with what I've got!

1 Peter 5:7 instructs us to cast our burdens on the Lord, for he cares for us. Another way to take the pressure off of yourself is to really lean into the love of God. God loves you so much that he wants to take the pressure off of you - he wants us to actually put it on him! To cast means to throw away or to set down. That means we don't have to lug around this heavy load of perfection or high standards. All of that can be put on the Lord. He does this because he cares so deeply for us. He would rather we put it on him than carry it around. Psalm 55:22 says that if we cast our cares then the Lord will sustain us. Another bonus! So we get to give this weight to the Lord AND be kept through it all. God is so faithful!

I want to encourage you to make this a lifestyle: see how you talk to yourself and what standards you set and learn to change the dialogue. Infuse self-compassion and understanding, for you know that you are trying your best. Read and meditate on God's love for you.