We can lose our peace when we measure our self worth by our performance. When this happens, we haven’t learned to separate who we are from what we do.
It seems everyone has so much to do these days. When our lives become overcrowded with too many things to do we risk becoming stressed out and grouchy.
There are a variety of reasons for becoming too busy. Many people simply crowd too many activities into each day and run out of time to complete them. One person may be too busy because of the demands of a growing career added to the needs of the family — needs such as homework, sports, music lessons, and a variety of other activities. Others become too busy because they are unable to say no when asked to do something. Still others get their sense of worth from being needed, so they purposely fill their lives with doing things for others.
Whatever the reason, when we’re too busy, our minds becomes a prisoner to what we must do next — constantly thinking and planning. The purpose of an overcrowded life is to choke out the Word of God and keep us unfruitful (see Mark 4:18-19).
Our performance is not the most important thing in life; fruitfulness is. It doesn’t mean God doesn’t want us to be productive, but it does mean that He is more interested in our peace than our achievements.
Another reason people fail to live in peace is that they will not let go of the failures of the past. Regret debilitates and destroys. Along with regret come self-condemnation, shame, grief, and torment. Yet once we are born again, no matter what we have done in the past, our failures are removed as far as the east is from the west (see Psalm 103:12).
Because of what Jesus accomplished when He died on the cross, our sin is forgiven and no longer remembered. Notice what Isaiah 43:25 says, “I — yes, I alone — will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” Since God doesn’t remember our sins then we should forget the past too.
What’s more Paul says, “No condemnation now hangs over the head of those who are ‘in’ Christ Jesus. For the new principle of life in Christ Jesus lifts me out of the old vicious cycle of sin and death” (Romans 8:1 Phillips).
There is nothing profitable that comes from regretting the past ? we cannot change the past. However, we can learn from it. Regret only brings us grief and sorrow. As a Christian, we should never yield to grief and sorrow because Jesus bore it on the cross. Notice Isaiah 53:4 5:
Surely our griefs He himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.
Jesus not only bore our sins, but He bore our grief and sorrow as well. We could say He bore our regret. It would be an injustice if Jesus paid the price for something and we had to suffer with it too. Resist regret everyday and look to the future!
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Vikki and Dennis began as youth pastors in 1973 in Southern California where they received tremendous insight into the work of the local church. In 1976, they moved to Ft. Worth, Texas, to work with Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Vikki worked with KCM for three years before entering full-time ministry with her husband. Since that time, their relationship and involvement with Kenneth Copeland Ministries has continued. Vikki and Dennis have had numerous articles published in the Believer's Voice of Victory magazine.
Vikki has spoken in several nations including Australia, Japan, and Canada. She has ministered on television, radio, in women's conferences and marriage seminars. Her desire is to see people raised to a higher level of living through the Word of God. By acting on Gods principles, Vikki has obtained a testimony of victory and imparts encouragement to others.
Throughout the years, Vikki and Dennis have pursued new avenues of reaching people. The Lord has continued to expand their vision. Their dedication has affected thousands as they are impacting God's people with the love of God.