Be strong. Repeat. Be strong. Repeat. Be strong. Repeat.
I need to hear, read, and practice something multiple times before a shift occurs. I learn best through one-on-one repetition. Sometimes repetitive actions develop into unhealthy patterns. That’s when I need to change direction so I can respect myself first and then accept others.
I sometimes grapple to decipher sins from mistakes. I’ve heard and read, and recite, “A sin is a mistake, but a mistake isn’t necessarily a sin.”
I have a history of condemnation and guilt, gathered from a variety of sources. When I’d try something new and the results got messy or tense, I’d stop the process. When I’d react in a way that didn’t resemble someone’s view, I’d lash out or shrink. Neither response supported healthy behavior.
I learned to mistrust the discovery process. I still hesitate to dispute someone who tries to subdue my values. I sometimes worry I’m one mistake away from losing credibility. One sin away from missing heaven.
In Haggai 2:4, I associate with Zerubabbel and Joshua’s quest. In Haggai, in one sentence, the Lord repeated three times, “Be strong.” “Be strong and work.” “Be strong for I am with you.”
We battle a world-wide struggle against fear. Everyone slips and staggers. We created or will create little errors. We made, or will make, enormous-sized mistakes. Some actions are sins. Some decisions stem from unwise or misguided information.
Thankfully when I seek God’s viewpoint and ask forgiveness, I’m more inclined to hear, see and practice good judgment.
Lord, help me discern between a sin and a mistake. Help me lead with kindness and courage. Teach me what is evil and what is simply part of human error.
Repeatedly striving to live with healthy awareness,
Christina
Readers! Your turn!
How can you relate to this learning curve?
How have you learned about wisdom?
Please share your story about how you’ve learned through repetition.
‘But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jozadek, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty (Haggai 2:4).