Episode #47: Do You Really Know Him?
from Shine, Mommy, Shine Podcast Hosted by Kirstin Baxter
Hey mama, In this episode, I share my journey of striving to be the "best" disciple of Christ by overcomplicating spiritual practices—turning simple gospel principles into exhaustive checklists. I talk about how this perfectionist mindset led to overwhelming pressure, increased anxiety, and ultimately, a transactional view of faith, where I expected certain blessings in exchange for my diligent efforts. Drawing from Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s analogy of a "cosmic vending machine" and lessons from the Pharisees in the New Testament, I explore how rigid rule-following can sometimes hinder our ability to truly know Christ. Instead of focusing on love, we may mistakenly believe that our worthiness depends on flawlessly checking off spiritual to-dos. I also discuss the importance of shifting our focus to the greatest commandment: Love—loving God, loving ourselves, and loving others. By recognizing that Christ’s grace is the foundation of our discipleship, we can release unrealistic expectations, embrace our humanity, and find true peace in our relationship with Him. If you've ever felt the weight of perfectionism in your faith journey, this episode is for you. Let’s step away from the pressure and lean into the love and grace Christ offers us. Go check it out! Sending you lots of love, sweet mama! Take care! Elder Christofferson’s Talk Bible Dictionary: Pharisees Go check out how to work with me more!
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