Christ Defines Our Value

Thursday, December 19th
Christ Defines Our Value
By: Anna Williams

Sometimes when we gather with family and old friends, we feel pressured by expectations. We feel the need to prove ourselves or explain our choices. A strong sense of shame might take hold if we begin to dwell on the past and our failings. While reflection is helpful at times, God doesn’t want us to get stuck there.

“Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God.”  – 2 Corinthians 3:5 AMP

When we truly give our lives to Christ, we get a new opportunity to start fresh. While we may continue to deal with the consequences of our past, it does not have to define us.
Relatives can sometimes hold power over us through denied acceptance caused by unrealistic expectations. Due to their own ghosts of the past, they cannot and will not acknowledge efforts towards improvement and that really hurts. But the Bible says that our Heavenly Father delights when sinners repent, and he provides Grace to help us as we strive to change our ways to align with his.

If your Christmas cheer is being dampened by unsuccessful attempts at people-pleasing, I would suggest that it’s time to start focusing on God-pleasing. God’s grace is sufficient for our every need and a believer’s value is defined by Christ’s precious sacrifice.