We don’t show our kids their report cards.

We tell them all that matters is that they’ve done their best to the glory of God.

It’s a small attempt at abating the world’s pressure to perform for the sake of accolades and recognition. If we’re satisfied and persuaded in our own hearts that we’ve done our best for the Lord, that’s really all that matters — no matter what others say or don’t say.

So if I’m trying to instill this principle in my kids’ minds and hearts, why is it so hard for me to remember myself?

Why do I still check my blog stats and Facebook likes and wonder what people think of me?

It’s so easy to get sucked into the comparison trap.

We see what others have accomplished, what they’ve been invited to do, what they’ve earned as a result of their work and efforts. We think we’re not enough.

But the truth is: It’s really between you and God. It’s a heart issue. It’s up to Him to determine the results — our job is to be faithful.

[Tweet “Do your best to the glory of God, and leave the outcome to Him.”]

Yes, we’re called to use the gifts we’ve been given. Our role is to be faithful in using those gifts to the best of our ability, and let God determine the outcome.

But if we don’t even try, how can He use us? If we give up altogether, what can He do then?

This post is Day 14 in the series, 31 Days in the Life of a Christian Writer, written in five minutes flat in conjunction with 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes.

Other posts in this series:

Click each title to visit the post:

Can Writing Be a Form of Worship? {Day 1 :: Worship}

The Power of a Storyteller {Day 2 :: Tell}

Called to Create: Make in the Image of Your Maker {Day 3 :: Create}

Holding Out Hope {Day 4 :: Hope}

Trusting God with Our Writing {Day 5 :: Trust}

This is My Story, This is My Song {Day 6 :: Story}

Hold Your Story Carefully {Day 7 :: Hold}

A Prayer for Christian Writers {Day 8 :: Truth}

Accepting God’s Plan for Your Writing Life {Day 9 :: Plan}

Learning to Listen as a Writer {Day 10 :: Listen}

The Discipline of Remembering {Day 11 :: Remember}

10 Inspirational Writing Quotes to Motivate You to Write {Day 12 :: Write}

Invite Others into Your Writing Life {Day 13 :: Invite}