STOP “SHOULDING” ALL OVER ME
I have a really bad habit of “shoulding” all over myself. You know…
“I should eat better.”
“I should read my Bible more.”
“I should workout more.”
“I should … fill in the blank.”
And I’m even better at “shoulding” all over others when they come to me for help or advice… especially those who are just like me in “Sandpaper Stories-like” ways!
“You should stick to a budget.”
“You should stop smoking.”
“You should read your Bible more.”
“You should go to church.”
“You should … fill in the blank.”
Do you do this, too?
What we’re really saying here, is we “should” be better than we are.
“I should be over this.”
“I should know better.”
“I should be further along in my journey.”
“I should … fill in the blank.”
Maybe it’s because we SHOULD have received unconditional love as a child, but didn’t. Or maybe our parents SHOULD have stayed together, or our teachers SHOULD have encouraged us more or our friends SHOULD have been more supportive.
The bottom line is, considering where we’ve come from, we are EXACTLY where we SHOULD be right now. We have lessons that need learning, and wounds that need healing and an aching emptiness that desperately needs filling.
Satan knows this. Way better than we do. That is why he is the one constantly “shoulding” all over us. He is afraid we will discover who we really are - truly, wholly, and fully loved.
Right where we are.
Right now.
Broken and all.
He whispers these lies into our heart and then he gets us to repeat them to ourselves… over and over and over again. For years. When he can get us to repeat these lies to ourselves (and to others!) then his work is done. Remember, he is the father of lies (John 8:44) who only comes to steal and kill and destroy. (John 10:10)
I don’t want to do his work! I want to break his chains and do God’s work!! So, “GET BEHIND ME, SATAN! And stop shoulding all over me!!!”
Let us allow ourselves to “Be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10) for a bit. Sometimes, especially when I find myself “shoulding” all over myself and others, I need to just sit in God’s presence and allow Him to Love me. Whether that’s on a park bench or by the river or in my car parked under a tree. Sometimes I need to remember why I was created… to be loved by Him.
Period.
In Jesus’ name.
Always.
Amen.
SCRIPTURES
John 8:44 ~ He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. (NLT)
John 10:10 ~ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)
Psalm 46:10 ~ Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God. (NASB)