Galatians 3:13-14
“But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’”
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the expectations placed on you by others? Friends wanting you to act a certain way and parents expecting good grades can be exhausting. Sometimes we can see Christianity as a set of rules we have to follow in order to receive the love of God. Galatians 3:13-14 states, “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’” This verse reminds us of God’s ultimate act of love: Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. It is important to remember that our worth does not come from others but from faith in Christ.
God does not expect anything of you other than to trust in His love. When we are confident in God’s free love for us, we can see that all of our other relationships are the same. Just because people want certain things from us, does not mean that we are only loved by them for what we can do. Our family and friends love us for who we are, just like God. Faith in this kind of unconditional love will give you strength and confidence throughout the rest of your life.
Take time today and focus in on the love of Jesus. You’re his beloved, declare that over yourself. I know it might feel strange at first, but stand in front of your mirror and speak out loud, “I’m a beloved child of God.” The more we declare that over ourselves, the more we begin to believe it and live into it.