Check Your Motives: Feeling Pressured?

Monday, November 30, 2020
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Today's Scripture
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”Mark 10:45 NLT

Thoughts for Today
Jesus came to earth to serve others, and he calls us to do the same. How are you serving others? And just as important—why? Are any of these thoughts familiar to you? 
If I don't help this person, no one will.

- I am the only one who knows how to please this person.

- This is the last time I am going to help this person

- I am tired of being a doormat.

- I am going to stay around this person because I believe they will change.

- If I continue to do my best to help, I believe things will get better.

- I must help this person because their poor choices are my fault.

- I am a bad person if I don't do what this person wants of me.

Consider this …

Servanthood is meant to be something we do voluntarily. Sometimes, however, we may feel we should do something for others because of pressure we feel from outside sources of intimidation or inner sources of guilt. We may not even realize we are serving another person for reasons other than a sincere and healthy desire.

This week we will be looking at unhealthy motives for serving and examining some steps toward serving others freely with healthy boundaries and no strings attached.

Prayer
Father, I realize I have had some of these thoughts. Help me see any unhealthy motives I have for helping others. Help me establish healthy boundaries. In Jesus' name ...

These thoughts were drawn from ... Where is the Image of God in You? by Brad Rymer. The purpose of this study is for us to see how some of the different character traits we have can be used in constructive rather than destructive ways in our lives and relationships so that we are operating more and more in the image of God according to the way He created us. Also, this study can help us better understand others as we build godly relationships. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

 

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