Why Performance Based Faith is Draining and How to get Rid of it

 

Why Performance-Based Faith Can Be So Draining (And How to Relinquish It)

My dear friends, imagine for a moment that you are on the treadmill of existence, with every step taken merely to demonstrate your adequacy. This quest for acceptance is akin to reaching for a mirage of grace, always just beyond your grasp.

Consider the lyrics of my song:

I was running on the treadmill of life,

Every step just proving I’m not enough.

Reaching for grace like it’s out of my hands,

Trying to earn what was never mine to grasp.

Does this resonate with your experience? The relentless pursuit of feeling worthy, of feeling sufficient in God's eyes? But let us not forget the sweet promise of Jesus:

"Come to me, all of you who are overburdened and overwhelmed, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 (GW)

This respite is not discovered in our own exertions, but rather in yielding to Him.

The Whirlwind of Self-Reliance

In the tempest of guilt and fear, we flounder,

Our self-reliance like a ship in a stormy sea that falters.

Perhaps you have felt the crushing weight of guilt, the relentless gale of self-condemnation. You endeavor to be good enough, yet every failure seems to pull you further under. This cycle of effort and defeat is as ancient as the dawn of time.

But be of good cheer! For Jesus strides upon the very waves that threaten to engulf us. When Peter took his eyes off the Savior and onto his own capabilities, he began to sink. Yet, when he called out, "Lord, rescue me!" Jesus did so without delay (Matthew 14:30-31).

Such is grace. It is not a trophy for the most diligent, but a lifeline thrown to those who are lost at sea.

Releasing the Grip of Performance-Based Belief

The truth we must embrace is that grace is not something to be merited. It is not the result of our laborious striving. It is a gift, bestowed upon us freely.

"It is by grace that you are saved, through faith, and not by your own efforts. It is God’s gift, not a reward for your good deeds." - Ephesians 2:8 (GW)

Now, how do we disembark from this endless treadmill? How do we release the burden of performance-based faith?

Recognize your acceptance in Christ -

 Understand that in Him, you are already cherished, pardoned, and selected (Ephesians 1:4-5).

Cease your striving and begin to abide - Instead of toiling to deserve grace, find solace in what Jesus has completed (John 15:4-5).

Exchange guilt for faith - 

When guilt whispers of inadequacy, remember Jesus' all-encompassing sacrifice (Romans 8:1).

Allow grace to reshape you -

 True transformation arises not from the dread of disappointing God but from resting in his love and allowing his spirit to mold you (Philippians 2:13).

Grace: A Lifeline, Not a Reward

The more I exerted, the more I was found wanting,

Sinking like a vessel worn and frail in the deep waters of doubt and fear.

If the weight of performance-based faith has been your burden, it is time to set it down. Step off the treadmill, my friend. Halt the futile effort to earn what has already been given without charge. Instead, dive into the welcoming embrace of grace.

Jesus did not summon us to perform. He summoned us to find refuge in his love.

You need not prove your worthiness. In Christ, it is already established.

I encourage you, if you have grappled with the exhaustion of performance-based faith, to share your reflections in the comments below. Moreover, I invite you to listen to my recent composition, which delves deeper into this transformative journey of releasing our grip on striving and welcoming grace.

Healing Broken Hearts

 

A heart is like glass

Crack a glass and 

the crack will 

forever be

No matter what, everyone has to go through the negativity associated with the loss of someone or something that was dear to them at some point in their life.

It may be due to the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a job or even a dream. It may be said that grief can make any person feel mangled and lost.

While healing a broken heart is deeply personal and very particular, knowing some universal truths can at least offer comfort and guidance during hard times.

Understanding Grief

Grief is not linear. Many people describe waves with some better days than others. There are several stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

People may not go through all the stages, nor will they necessarily go through them in this order.

Just let yourself feel what you need to feel, without judgment or pressure to "move on."

Acknowledge your Feelings

The first step to healing is to first acknowledge the grief you are going through. It is quite okay to tell yourself that you hurt, that life seems really not fair, and that you don't know which way to go.

This is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous step toward healing. This is what the Bible tells us about being honest about our pain:

"The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." Ps 34:19, GW

This verse doesn't offer that life is going to be free of trouble; it reassures us that we are not alone in our struggles.

Finding Comfort in Scripture

The Bible is full of comfort in the aftermath of loss. It reminds one that, while overwhelming, grief is not eternal; but there is a future to hope for. One such verse by which many people draw comfort is:

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and delivers those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalms 34:18, GW)

This verse reminds us of the beautiful truth that God is close to us when we are down. He sees our pain and desires to stand by us as our loneliness becomes most overwhelming.

Another important verse is:

"Blessed are those who mourn. They will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4, GW)

This passage of the Beatitudes speaks as an assurance that mourning and grieving are not in vain. Comfort and peace rest with those, even in the midst of deep sorrow.

Allow Yourself to Grieve

Allow yourself permission to grieve. It's something that so often we let society hurry along and say, "Get over it." But the truth is, there is no timeline on grief.

It's okay to take your time and know that healing isn't about forgetting but living a new way after loss.

Community

Grief may be lonely, but don't be afraid to reach out. Whether it be friends, family members, or a support group, sharing your hurt with others who care for you can lighten the burden. The Bible encourages us to bear one another's burdens:

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal 6:2 GW)

Allowing others to support you and offering your support to others can create a sense of community and shared strength.

Finding New Meaning
You may find a new sense of meaning and purpose in life while journeying through your grief. It doesn't mean replacing what you lost but finding ways to make good memories of it or the person who is no more with you.

Probably starting a new project, carrying out some volunteer work, or just living your life gladly and peacefully can help make you feel that life is worth living.

In Ecclesiastes, we are reminded that there is a time for everything:

"There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time." Ecclesiastes 3:1, GW

This verse can remind us that though the time of loss seems wrong, unfair, there may well be a larger picture we often can't see, and in time, healing will come.

Marching on With Hope

The future doesn't mean forgetting. It means carrying the memory of what was lost in a way that allows you to continue living.

Healing isn't going to happen overnight. It's a journey, and it's okay that sometimes the journey takes some time. Hold onto hope for better days to come.

You never really are alone in your sorrow.

"I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5 GW

We find our greatest comfort in that promise—that no matter how deep the sorrow, we will be held by a love that will never let us go.

Conclusion

Probably two of the toughest experiences that someone can have, grief and loss also bring with them the opportunities for growth, reflection, and a stronger connection with others and God.

Beginning the process of healing and regaining hope can start by first allowing oneself to be able to acknowledge one's pain, taking comfort from the scriptures, and not being afraid to grieve.

Remember that it's okay to take time, seek support, and hold onto hope that healing is possible. You are definitely not alone, and in time, your heart can heal.