Do You Ever Feel Dumb Over Silly Mistakes You've Made?

Over the past two weeks, our TMC writers have been writing a series on personal testimonies. I've enjoyed reading each one, and you'll have some more coming your way this week.

One of the things I hope this series does is challenge you to share your testimony—the story of how Jesus has changed your life—with others. As you do, you may feel a little foolish and think to yourself, "Who am I to say anything? What's so special about my story?"

Perhaps you've tried to share your testimony in the past and wound up feeling dumb as a result. I've certainly had a few moments like this. I think of a guy I shared my story with years ago, and it didn't go over as I'd envisioned. In fact, it was super awkward. Then there was the guy I shared Jesus with a few years after that, only to have him take the next couple of hours to try to pull me into another religion.

Times like this made me want to give up, but you know what? Each time I shared, I got a little better. I've learned how to tailor my story to meet people where they are at, and today, sharing my testimony is a natural part of my conversation.

The key was progress.

Let All See Your Progress

As Christians, it's easy to beat yourself up in lots of areas, not just when it comes to sharing your personal testimony.

You think, "I've been a Christian for fifteen years, and I still struggle with ______." You're a young parent, you get frustrated with your kids, and then feel like they're going to grow up and want nothing to do with you. Your marriage isn't what you'd like it to be, and you know people at your church have talked about it. Each day, you live with this perpetual sense of shame from a business collapse, and you feel like a loser each day you wake up.

Granted, some of you aren't in this position, but from many conversations, I've realized far too many Christians live with a sense of imposter syndrome—a fear that they'll be found out. That one day someone will walk up to them and say, "You're not really the Christian you claim to be."

If that's where you're at today, the Apostle Paul has some good news that will help pull some of the weight off your shoulders.

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul is encouraging his young protégé, Timothy, who was leading the church in Ephesus amid false teaching and opposition. Paul urges Timothy to devote himself fully to preaching, teaching, and spiritual growth. Then, in verse 15, he makes this powerful statement that is one of my favorite verses in the Bible:

Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

"That your progress may be evident to all." And how is progress made evident to all? By making mistakes. By putting yourself out there when you don't feel like it. By sharing Jesus even when you fear you'll look foolish.

Speaking to the context of this verse, commentator Gordon Fee makes the following observation:

The evidence from 2 Timothy 2:16 and 3:9 suggests that progress was one of the slogans of the false teachers, perhaps as a kind of elitist appeal to those who wanted to “advance” into “deeper truths” by engaging in their speculative nonsense. If so, then this is a bold counterstatement to their kind of progress, which in 2 Timothy 2:16 is ironically labeled “progress in ungodliness [asebeia].” By Timothy’s being a faithful minister of the word of the gospel, the people will be able to see the real thing.^[1]

Notice the difference. Not progress so you can say you've arrived, but progress so you can point to the awesome goodness of God.

A New Mindset

So, how do you adopt this progress mindset? Here's what I do when I'm feeling dumb. Maybe it will help you.

First, confront your negative thought patterns. The next time you do that "dumb thing," and you're tempted to mumble, "Ugh, I'm such an idiot," catch yourself. Start speaking words of life instead. Meditate on Scripture and ask God to bring the words you're memorizing to mind the next time you're beating yourself up.

Second, see yourself through the lens of a friend. It's crazy how much easier it is to be kinder to a friend than it is to be kind to yourself. Chances are, if you stepped back and looked at that thing you're feeling dumb about, you'd give yourself a lot more grace.

Third, focus on progress and not perfection. Make progress and this whole process of holiness (Christlikeness) a game where you're becoming a bit more like Jesus each day. Seriously, make it fun and don't take yourself so seriously.

Most people are far too consumed with themselves to notice those little areas you beat yourself up over anyway. So instead of worrying over your self-image, walk this wonderful dance with God where you compete not against others but with the version you once were.

Sure, compared to John Superchristian, you might not be that awesome. But 2 Corinthians 10:12 points out that constant comparison a bad game to play. But looking at who you used to be and how far God has brought you should be reason for hope.

We are all works in progress.

So today, don't be discouraged by the journey. Take heart, and ask God today to use your progress to bring more glory to him and to point others to him.

^[1]Gordon D. Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011), 109.