[B]e obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ, not only when being watched, as currying favor, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, willingly serving the Lord and not men. // Ephesians 6:5-7
“Ugh! I just cannot get it right!” Crumpling yet another piece of paper, I tossed my latest drawing towards the recycle pile. I glanced over at my younger sister; even at age five, her talent far outshone mine. And I gave up. Clearly, I wasn’t ever going to be good at art.
My perfectionist streak has reared its ugly head many times in my life, and one way I find it cripples me is in tactile activities I know there’s a strong chance of me not being great at. I consider a new hobby or activity, realize the work and talent called for, and often give up before I begin. It’s truly a mental block that prevents me from moving forward on things that have the possibility of being fun, yet I shy away from even starting.
Today’s reading from Ephesians 6:1-9 might feel like it doesn’t apply to you: children, fathers, slaves, masters. Though we might not fit into those categories, even in our modern world, we’re still born into or placed in scenarios or realities that we don’t feel we deserve. My struggle with perfectionism limits what I can mentally tackle; it’s something I have to fight against in order to thrive.
Yours could be a different mental health struggle. Maybe you grew up in a broken home or perhaps your husband or child has passed away. In spite of whatever unfair things we face, by the grace of God, we can suffer well. Our mindset must be to serve our loving Father, doing His will by striving for excellence and doing so for His glory. We can overcome because He will not leave us in our broken places. And even though the hand we’ve been dealt might lead to suffering on earth, ultimately it can pave our way to Heaven when offered back to Him.
One of my favorite prayers when I’m feeling overwhelmed by suffering is the Litany of the Sacred Heart. Pray it with me today.
He will not leave us in our broken places. // Sarah OrtizClick to tweet
Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother to six boys while living in a 200-year-old farmhouse in Western New York. When not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, keeping the family library, or snagging amazing antique furniture deals. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire. Find out more about her here.
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