My stand

"Why stay? Nothing's going to change."

I stay because I haven't perfected loving. 

It is written: Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. Whoever loves another person has fulfilled the Law...You must love your neighbor as yourself. 

"Didn't God say let go, you're free!"

I am. I let go of the chains of unforgiveness. 

It is written: My heavenly Father will also do the same to you if you don’t forgive your brother or sister from your heart.

And: 

You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love.

"If you give up you can have what you want."

I am not my own!  I gave up my life to gain one that lasts forever!  

It is written: You, LORD, are my portion, my cup; you control my destiny. 

And:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?

"Who do you think you are?! You've already screwed it up so badly anyway?"

I'm a missed-the-mark one who the Redeemer purchased with his blood. I have already screwed up badly, and He has already paid the price perfectly!

It is written: 

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

And:

It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.

And:

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. 

Bible references from the Common English Bible and the New Living Translation: Romans 13:8,9; Matthew 13:35; Galatians 5:13; Psalm 16:5; Mark 8:34-37; Proverbs 24:16; Philippians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:18  

Quieted,

Sheila