Courage in Accountability

I’ve been out of school on Spring Break since last Thursday and I’ve had a ton of time to just think about where I’m at in life. I always try to remember that things I struggle with are things you may struggle with… so hey, why not struggle together? :)

I know I can’t be the only one who struggles with always doing the right thing. I don’t mean doing the right thing most of the time, or just when you’re faced with a hard decision. I mean doing the right thing constantly, daily, without fail. (If you don’t struggle with that…. please share your ways with the rest of us!)

It’s evident in scripture that we aren’t made to be perfect people.

“As it is written: None are righteous, no, not one” Romans 3:10

Humanity was created with an innate attraction to sin, but we were also saved from that sin by the One who lives to set us free. I know John 3:16 is probably in line #1 of the ‘how to be a good Christian handbook’, but the words at their very core are just so powerful.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have everlasting life.”

Is it not incredible that the Father knew we would struggle with the darkness that lives in each of us, and because of it, He did what he had to do to ensure that you and I could live FREE from the bondage of sin?! [Most of the time I really struggle with comprehending the immensity that is the Lord and everything he does]

The thing is, even though I’m aware of the fact that I don’t have to live my life aiming at an unrealistic goal of perfection, it is still so discouraging every time I know I’ve made the wrong decision; it always hurts to see my own weakness before my eyes.

So how do you combat your predisposed sinful nature? How do you fight something that is already within you?

How do you defeat…yourself?

Maybe I don’t have all the answers, but one tactic that has proven itself time and time again is accountability. You’ve probably heard of something called an accountability partner… I’ll be honest, I have never been the best at keeping up with one, but I know it’s an incredible way to keep yourself out of the hold of your daily sins.

Aside from having an accountability partner, though, you should always strive to hold yourself accountable. With each and every action, think of the consequences, think of how it will make you feel when the high that comes from sinning is over, think of how you’d look at someone who did that exact same thing. Would you be proud of it? Would you want to tell your parents about it? Would you mind the world knowing what you’ve done, thought, said? I’m not saying you should live in fear of what someone else might think, but it’s all a part of holding yourself accountable.

Obviously you aren’t on your own, though. Trusting in the Lord, confessing your sins to him, and relying on Him to lead you in every way should always be focus #1!

Sin is ugly. U-G-L-Y. ugly. But you are beautiful, and you should want to embrace that beauty rather than surrender to the grotesque world that is sinful nature.

There is a courage that comes from accountability and it endures.

{P.S. I hope that wherever you are, you’re enjoying springtime as much as I am! Here’s a little sneak peek at my spring break so far :) }