Upon reflection, most people realize they are not very motivated to complete their list. In fact, my clients tell me that the more they ‘should on themselves’ the more they resist the self-prescribed thing they "should do! It seems like human nature is an expert at escaping the ‘shoulds’…whether they come from ourselves or someone else.
From a spiritual perspective, it seems that the ‘Law of Shoulds’ actually separates us from God’s grace. His grace is a gift that truly empowers us with the strength and ability to complete what he has called us to do! I was reminded that Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:6, “…the code [of the Law] kills, but the (Holy) Spirit makes alive”.
With that in mind, I want to invite you to consider WHY you think you ‘should’ do the things on your list. They may be good things to do, but you may discover you’re doing the ‘right thing’ for the wrong reason! In my experience, I found most of my ‘shoulds’ stemmed from fear. Whether attempting to avoid fear of punishment or of feeling guilt…ultimately the life of my spirit is killed.
On the other hand, perhaps you are one of the fortunate few! You do what you consider to be the ‘right thing’ purely from a heart of love and grace. My point is, you can be doing the same thing…with two very different emotional outcomes…depending on what/Who is driving the action. The slave driver of ‘shoulds’ is like the Law written “on tablets of stone” in the Old Covenant. Submitting to this taskmaster produces exhaustion, guilt, and condemnation. But - when grace stirs your heart to action, you experience fulfillment!
My prayer for both you and me is that we stop condemning ourselves by our ‘Law of Shoulds’. Instead, may we be yoked with Christ who has qualified us to be dispensers of the Spirit… fulfilling His Purposes in us to gain true life!
As always, please feel free to comment below...notice I didn't say, "You should comment"....only if you WANT to! :-)
Until next Thursday!
Blessings, Deb