One Way to Offer Yourself More Grace and Stop Striving for More

Do you thrive on productivity, setting goals, and checking items off your list? What happens when the unexpected occurs? Do you have space for unforeseen circumstances or a little unanticipated joy, or does that bring your world crashing down around you as you attempt to accomplish it all? Discover one way to offer yourself more grace and stop striving for more.

As I shared in my post, “Are You Willing to Change Your Ways to Discover Peace?” the chaos of my life closed in on me, and the inner peace seemed to fade away. I needed to pivot and cease my striving for more. God was whispering in my ear, “Maree, more grace.” It took me a bit, but eventually, I melted into God’s arms and basked in His peace.

A New Year With More Grace

But now that brings us to a new year, afraid to name new dreams while dragging the prior year’s disappointments, frustrations, and heartaches into this one. After all, the problems didn’t dissipate into thin air. Can you relate? Have you procrastinated in setting new goals or choosing a word?

What if there was a way to pursue some endeavors while we offered ourselves some grace?

As I diligently worked through the goal packet, listening to God’s direction and reflection, I hung tight to the lessons of the prior year, where God taught me to cease striving and offer myself and others more grace. Still weary from our previous year, yet torn with wanting to accomplish more, I struggled to discover what God had in mind for the new year, and grace seemed like the perfect word for me.

Wait For God

Patiently, I waited, prayed, and pondered what God had in mind. As I wrote numerous letters to God, pouring out my heart, He began to reveal the focus for me for 2023, and even if this is not your word, it might help you to offer yourself more grace and stop striving for more.

But first, you might want to read the details of why “One Simple Word Can Bring Effective Change to Your Life.”

My word is “Closer,” which may seem strange for someone who thrives on productivity. The word made so much sense as I started looking at all the areas where I would like to grow. You see, I want to continue to draw closer to God, closer to people, and closer to my goals, but that doesn’t mean I have to reach perfection or even accomplish the pursuits. 

How One Word Can Work

As I reach for the cookie, I ask myself if this will bring me closer to healthy eating or further away. When the alarm rings at 5:30 am for Bible study, and it’s below zero, I ask myself if staying in bed will help me to attain closer friendships or keep me further away. Most importantly, I’m attempting to pause before jumping in to offer help, start working, or make a decision and ask myself if this is God’s will and if it will bring me or others closer to Jesus. 

How Do You Know God Chose Your Word?

 A question I frequently get asked is: how do you know what God wants you to choose? I feverishly work through the workbook, looking back, present, and forward, taking time to pause, ponder, and listen to the Lord’s voice, which is not audible. I then jot down words that come to mind and pray over them. 

Wrestling with Jesus

Then, the wrestling with Jesus begins as He places a word on my heart, one I usually don’t want to choose. At first, I try to convince myself I’m not hearing God. So, I waste a little time as I look for synonyms with some eloquence and pizazz. Typically, arriving at the word entails a lousy night of sleep when I try to convince the Lord that another term would be better than the simple one He whispers in my ear, puts in my thoughts, and often confirms with scripture.

But this year, Jesus confirmed it a little differently. After I tossed and turned all night, I awakened with one word on my mind—closer. Nodding to God in acceptance, I said a quick prayer as I reached for my phone to see what the day had in store. The green button on my phone indicated a text, which seemed odd so early in the morning. As I pushed the message button, a beautiful picture filled my screen from Kathleen—she had colored a woman skiing, making the most beautiful turn on the mountain. Not any turn, one where her form was excellent as she leaned in; her shoulder was inches from the snow. I can’t ski like the woman in the picture, but I love trying to improve each year. And believe it or not, I had been working on getting closer to the snow, leaning in, and bending more. Unbeknownst to my friend, she confirmed what the Lord had put on my heart. Closer was my word. 

I thrive on setting goals, and I use my one-word to develop a variety of aims in many areas of life. Here is a free workbook with worksheets to help you set your goals.

2024 Embracing Goals | Choose the Most Important Goal First

Struggling to identify your life’s pivotal goal? ‘Embracing Goals’ workbook guides you to prioritize a spiritual pursuit that transforms. Say goodbye to failed resolutions; embrace personal growth with God at the center. Unlock unexpected success—commit, persevere, and align with His will. Take the leap today!

Choosing one word for your year might be enough to help bring about change and growth in all areas of your life. However, will you consider one more goal? How about choosing a Spiritual Goal? In “How to Know Where God Wants You to Grow,” I share a few ideas for spiritual growth.

I have included an example of my most important goal for the year.

(Worksheets available in our Goal Workbook.)

If you have a word or a spiritual goal for the year, please share it with us.

We can offer ourselves more grace and stop striving for more by allowing closer to be enough. A change in our mindset, from failure to noticing we are moving nearer when we don’t fully accomplish our goals. After all, making more space for God is a beautiful pursuit. Don’t you think?

How do you offer yourself more grace and stop striving for more?

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Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee

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