Stop "SHOULDING"

Recently I posted about negative thoughts.  This post follows that one very easily.  As I was driving one day and thinking about things, I realized not only the negative thoughts going through my head, but I was thinking about the things I should have done and haven't.

You should be working on eating healthier.  You should be spending more time studying God's word. You should be working on your "to-do" list.  

While those statements are true, we cannot let them be used to beat ourselves up.  We should be giving ourselves mercy.  The definition of mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.  For most of us, it is easy to give mercy, but for many of us it is hard to give it to ourselves.  God says to us in His Word; His mercy is new every morning.  

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  

In this day and time, there are so many, and sometimes too many things, on our plate.  Sometimes my plate is so full I can't get it all done and then I beginning shoulding.  I believe in many instances I do this to myself.  I have a calendar and a to-do list and then things come up unexpectedly which throws off my schedule.  I do not leave any room for these unexpected things.  Then my plan is all thrown off.  This is were the shoulding begins. 

Shoulding can lead to negative talk.  'You should have done this, but you are not organized enough or good enough or talented enough or smart enough'.  These are the negative things we start saying to ourselves.  This is where mercy should happen.  

Practice this saying the word MERCY when you hear yourself shoulding.  The more you practice this in your head (which is where we say it the most), the less it will happen.  

Give yourself a break, God does!!!!