We live in a world of rules and expectations.

Regardless of where we turn, someone always wants and expects something from us. Your job may require a certain amount of tasks to be accomplished and for certain clothes to be worn. A parent may demand respect in the form of good grades, finished chores, and impeccable obedience. School may require rigorous academics. Athletics may want you in the best physical shape possible, your peers may want to you look a certain way and be part of a certain crowd, your friends may want your time when you are busy, your church may want your ministry even as you are already stretched thin – all of these responsibilities pull us left and right and stretch us to our limits; sometimes beyond what we can handle without wanting to sleep for a straight week or adding a few more shots of espresso to our coffee.

Our daily living has our minds full of what we must do and accomplish, and we are stuck in this notion that there is something wrong with us if we do not complete every task set before us. We ­have to do it all. People are depending on us. We do not want to disappoint anyone.

Take a moment and think of your motives for living righteously and following the rules – are you afraid of being grounded? Do you not want to lose your job but grumble as you take out the trash or deal with unsatisfied people in customer service? Do you put on a face at church because you can't let your church know that your life on earth and your life on social media accounts are not the same?

Please understand; wanting to live righteously is not wrong, but urging ourselves to live rigorously through a constant fear of consequences – that is unhealthy. Fear is not a good motivator, "for God gave us a spirit not of fear" (2 Tim. 1:7a, ESV.) In all honesty, friends, I think we are more afraid than we should be of the world, and I think most of the expectations we have are all inside our heads.

Now, before you throw your planners and calendars at me, I understand that everyone is physically busy, whether with kids or meetings or college classes or jobs.

But I am referring to our own mental expectations and how we connect those to our worth.

Scripture states that the law of God is written on our hearts (Romans 2:14-15.) The law does not leave our hearts after salvation. It stands as a reminder of God's mercies on us, for we no longer have to meet the entire Old Testament worth of laws to be seen as righteous. The blood of Christ covers us, so that through Jesus' death alone we have access to speak to the Lord.

But often, we crack open those two tablets. We sacrifice our doves and bulls in the form of feeling guilty, trying harder, and pressuring ourselves to become better because we are just not good enough. We begin counting our sins and wonder how much repentance and honest prayer we need to be good enough to come to God again. People expect the world from us, so we assume God expects perfection from us.

Please listen, the death of Jesus is useless in our minds when we live this way. Jesus died to pay the price for sin and meet the perfect expectations of God, yet we often try to meet this expectation ourselves.

Do you live this way?

Perfectionist, we are called to holiness, not self-righteousness. You cannot do everything right all the time and that is okay. That is human. As a perfectionist myself, I know that you are your own worst critic! Ask God for clarity in your mental expectations. Search the word and find the difference between your fears and following God. You may doubt your abilities, but Jesus never doubts that He has saved you. Your salvation is secure; rest in His grace and life freely, not under obligation or fear. He is a Father who loves you infinitely and wants to guide you to Himself; His wrath is never a punishment for your mistakes.

Goody Two-Shoes, I know it can be hard to go against the flow. I know it can be hard to have your faith and your walk be taken as a bad thing. Compare your Christian liberties with Scripture; your expectations should align with God and not your preferences. Know that following God means you are an alien on earth, but you are a citizen, child, and treasure in God's eyes. As Romans 8:16-17b says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…" (ESV.) The labels of the world have nothing on your kingship!

And finally, to all who crave success (which I assume includes everyone!) Jesus has already conquered death, fulfilling the greatest success the world has known or will ever know. Not only that, but Jesus gives us permission to live and relish in that success. And when we fail? Scripture says Jesus forgives abundantly, and our poor performance can never touch the power of God.

May God speak through these words!

With love and prayers,