Have you ever lived in an environment where you were afraid to make a mistake?  If you have, you know real pressure.

The sports world at times speaks of teams who are playing to “not lose.”  Of course the object of a game is to WIN, but sometimes a team gets skittish and thinks the only way to ensure a win is to try to avoid a loss.  Those teams usually end up losing anyway.  A team cannot play defensively and expect to be successful.

Maybe you have felt the oppressive chains of legalism or maybe the intimidating growl of opposition.  Those who expect more of us than they expect of themselves can often coerce us to live in fear of failure.  We do not take chances, we play it safe, all in hopes of avoiding the venom of those waiting to pounce on our every mistake.  We live to “not lose.”

Thankfully, God does not treat us that way.  The One who created us knows us best.  What does He know about us?

For He knows our frame;
    He remembers that we are dust. – Psalm 103:14

 God knows that we are hopelessly fallible. While God, through His Spirit, will enable us to live holy lives, He knows that we will not always avail ourselves to His power and we will in moments of flesh fail miserably.

Thankfully, God does not keep score of our wrongs.  In grace, He forgives the repentant heart and allows us or move on with our lives.

If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    O Lord, who could stand?

But with You there is forgiveness,
    that You may be feared.  Psalm 130:3-4

God’s grace gives us room to take risks.  God releases us from the temptation to live in such a way to please others, and He offers His grace in place of their unreasonable expectations.  So, go ahead.  Shed the fear. Cut yourself some slack. Don’t live to “not lose,” but live to please God. Should you fail, own up to it, confess it, receive the forgiveness He provides and move forward.

Fear plays it safe.  Faith takes a risk.

What about you?  What ways have you seen yourself or others live to “not lose”?  Leave a comment below and let’s get a discussion started.

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