Waking Up with an A+ (How I Stopped Striving for God’s Blessing)
A personal reflection on grace, worthiness, and learning to rest in God’s love
For years, I woke up with a mental checklist of how to be "better." Deep down, I carried a quiet belief: If I could just do more, be better, and finally get it together... maybe then I’d be worthy of God’s blessing.
I lived feeling "almost good enough."
I had no problem believing God loved and blessed other people. I could cheer them on wholeheartedly. But for myself? I constantly stared at my own faults. Underneath all my striving was a hidden fear: Maybe God’s goodness is for everyone else, but I just don’t quite make the cut.
The Heart of a Giver
Yet, at the same time, I had this massive desire to walk in abundance. Not for greed, but because my heart longed to be a blessing.
I wanted to give thoughtful gifts for any and no occasion, quietly pay for school tuition, help with a down payment on a home, be the person who could say, "I can help!" whenever I saw a need.
But I felt completely stuck between the legacy I wanted to leave and the fear of "just enough."
The Shift: It’s Not About Your Performance
Then, everything shifted.
When I first picked up the book When Heaven Invades Your Finances, I thought I was going to learn about budgets or money strategies. Instead, it opened a door that led me to a life-changing program called Wealth With God.
Initially, the biggest transformation wasn't actually financial. It was relational.
I began realizing something so simple, yet entirely groundbreaking: God loves me. Not the me who might possibly get it together one day. The current me. The messy, imperfect me.
And then came the realization that truly broke something open: It’s not about me. It’s about HIM.
My focus had been on ME, I need to do better. I need to try harder. I need to pray more. I... I... I... Do you see the pattern there? I was making it all about me...I had unknowingly placed more trust in my ability to become "good enough" than in the finished work of Jesus. I was measuring my worthiness by my performance instead of by the cross.
You Already Have an A+
Jesus said, "It is finished." He paid for every mess I've ever made or will make, every spectacular failure, and all my glaring weaknesses. God never asked me to earn what Jesus already paid for. He carried it all.
Now, instead of waking up trying to earn approval, I wake up remembering: I already have an A+, written in the blood of Jesus. Not because of my perfection, but because of His.
Everything changes when you begin seeing God as a loving Father, when you truly embrace being a child of the King!
Your Invitation to Freedom
If you’ve secretly spent years feeling like God’s goodness is for everyone except you, that you shouldn't be a burnden by asking too much, or wanting too much or hang around too much. I want you to hear this today:
You do not have to perform for love. You do not have to strive your way into acceptance. YOU ARE LOVED just as you are. Because of JESUS!
Living a life of blessing was never about becoming worthy enough to receive it. It was always about knowing your worth as a child of God, partnering with your loving Father, hearing His voice, and walking the path He already prepared for you.
If you are ready to break free from fear, lack, and performance-based faith, here are a couple of resources that completely transformed my perspective:
- I encourage you to explore books that have renewed my mind to the goodness of God—you can find my favorite recommendations on my Favorites Page
I’d love to connect with you! If this post resonated with your heart, please drop a comment below or send me a message. I would love to hear your story and cheer you on as you walk out this journey of grace.
Have a beautiful day!
Tracie
0 Comments