It is written, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) 

Why are you striving? Why do you entertain feelings of failure? Don’t you know that these are lies directly from your adversary? The one who wants to hold you back from all that I have planned for you… 

Your striving suggests that you do not yet know my approval. But beloved, my work is finished! My approval is yours! If you could truly grasp this, what more could you possibly need? 

When you find yourself struggling with feelings of failure, come into my presence. Bring these lies out of the darkness and into my loving light. So that I can shine my smile of approval on your life. So that you can bask in my loving warmth. 

Cease all striving and lay your concerns at my feet. I have commanded this of you and for good reason. I want you to live out the knowledge and understanding that I love you. That you already have my stamp of approval. That through Jesus Christ and the cross, it is finished.