Talking to Myself Again

Church of the Beatitudes, Israel. Image: Unsplash

Letters to My Inner Critics

This is a new project, the concept of which came across to me from a writer’s forum. The idea is to identify the inner critic that prevents you from writing. As a writer there are often voices inside your head anticipating what others will say in response to what you have written, making the writing process even more difficult.

I shall identify my inner critics and fears, give them names, and then speak directly to them. I think this project, though weird to some, will be useful in future writing projects. Additionally, I think this is a fun way to get more writing done.

Alyssa

Inner critic Alyssa : Always afraid, usually hiding. Alyssa has spent her whole life being told she’s either too much or not enough. Trying so hard to people please has left her exhausted. She has finally figured out that no matter how hard she tries, she will not meet the expectations of others.

Dear Alyssa,

Rest.

Just be you.

The problem is not that you are unworthy of love and kindness just as you are. The problem is that this world is not loving and kind. Everyone can love someone else conditionally. If they are enough like us, meet our standards, provide what we need in a relationship, are easy to be around, then sure. We can love the people that check the boxes on our wish list. But what about the ones who don’t?

Isn’t that the challenge of following Jesus? Christ asks us to be love in an unloving world, to be kindness in an unkind culture, to connect with people not at all like us, and offer his grace to those we find difficult. Because that is who He is.

Jesus is not like us. He loves unconditionally. Far too often, we fail to emulate Him.

You, Alyssa, think they don’t like you or love you because you aren’t worthy. No, sweet girl. They don’t love you or accept you just as you are because they don’t know how. You are growing and

learning to be more like Jesus, others are not. Maybe some are, but they are making as many mistakes as you are.

You can forgive someone for not loving as unconditionally as Jesus, right? The same way you wish they’d forgive you for your failures. Their failure to love is not your failure to be worthy of love. Their failure to extend grace is not your failure to qualify for grace.  

God’s grace through Jesus our Lord is free for the asking. Talk to Him about it.

You are loved.

You are cherished.

You are dear to God’s heart.

Sincerely, Traci

“If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? Even sinners love the people who love them. If you do good only to those who do good to you, what praise should you get? Even sinners do that!  If you lend things to people, always hoping to get something back, what praise should you get? Even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount!  But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy.” Luke 6: 32-36