My heartbeat quickens, palms get sticky, cheeks flush. These are a few things that happen when I realize I have let someone down.

I hate this feeling and would do anything to avoid it. But I can’t avoid it all the time, no matter how hard I try or how many things I can remember, I don’t have the capacity for perfect performance. Fear of failing affects us all in many ways, but all of it leads back to knowing we cannot measure up.

How can we cope with all the ways we aren’t enough? The first way is by realizing we don’t have to try and pretend we are. Our Lord is fully aware of how frail we are, and yet doesn’t shrink back in disgust at our failure. He loves to meet us in our wanting. What a peace this brings, for a work weary soul.

This knowledge frees me from the fear of failing or disappointing others because I’m secure in His unchanging thoughts toward me. I could disappoint everyone, yet still, He wouldn’t abandon me. The reason for this is not my worth, but His kindness.

Ironically, this confidence frees me to be more of who He made me to be. It makes sin less attractive and it makes me fight doing things I know He says not to, out of love for Him and knowledge of His love for me. It makes me work harder and the quality of my work better, because I know I really can’t fail. I’m secure in His love.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”