Abby’s Story -Breaking Free From The Trap Of Performance

Have you ever felt as if you’re on a stage and everyone is watching you? Have you ever felt enslaved to perform for those who might be watching?

Abby Schmidt knows exactly how this feels. Even though she was raised in a gospel-centered, Jesus-loving environment, Abby used to view Christianity as a set of rules that had to be followed.

Growing up, she thought she had to perform for people. Abby wanted to please everyone. She wanted everyone to like her, so she changed her behavior based on who she was around.

When she was around her parents’ friends, she played the part of a polite, respectful, Christian girl. But around her peers, she acted otherwise. If her friends were gossiping, she’d gossip too. If they were making up rumors, she’d make up rumors as well.

As she grew older, she realized how exhausting this was. When the two different worlds of people she was trying to impress in different ways collided, she didn’t know how to act.

Abby was looking for love and acceptance, something we all long for. But she was looking for it in the wrong places…

Transformation Through The Gospel

When Abby entered middle school, she started going to youth group at her church on Wednesday nights. During seventh grade, reading through The Gospel-Centered Life For Teens book was an extremely eye-opening experience. The Holy Spirit used that book to convict Abby of her sin and show her how much she needed a relationship with Jesus. Even though Abby doesn’t know the exact moment she came to know Christ, she believes that it was during the time of exploring this book that the Holy Spirit regenerated her and gave her the faith to believe.

Abby testifies that the gospel, who God is and who she is in Christ, is what changed her life.

Since coming to know Christ, Abby has a completely different view of life as a whole. She no longer finds joy and satisfaction in what people think of her. She finds her joy and satisfaction in what God says about her. She no longer has to perform for people, because she is accepted and loved in the eyes of her Savior.

Abby says, “I used to care so much about whether or not people loved me. Now that Jesus has changed my life, that perspective has shifted from caring about whether or not they love me, to caring about whether or not they know they’re loved by God.”

God’s Gift Of Emotions

Since coming to faith, the Lord has given Abby the gift of mercy. She has deep compassion and love for other people. She can tell when someone is struggling, and she desires to help hurting people.

Abby is also a very “feelsy” person. She experiences a lot of emotions on a regular basis.

Maybe you can relate to this yourself. If so, Abby wants you to know that you’re not the only one facing this. She wants you to remember that being a “feelsy” person and having the gift of mercy isn’t a burden, it’s a gift from the Lord. God is allowing you to feel the pain of others on a deep level, and he gives you compassion and love for those who are weak.

Abby uses the gift of mercy for discipleship, and you can too!

Using Mercy For Discipleship

Even though she’s never had someone that she refers to as her “mentee” Abby disciples her peers by intentionally pointing them to Christ through life-on-life experiences.

Since Abby is a very loving person, people come to her for advice quite often. She uses these opportunities to share Jesus with others and bring glory to God.

You can begin to disciple those around you by praying for opportunities to speak into others’ lives. Ask the Lord to show you when someone is hurting. 

One way to show others you care about them is by centering your conversations on them. Don’t talk about yourself unless you’re asked to. Start your conversations off with a simple, “Hi! How are you doing?”

Another great way to show others you care is by asking people how you can pray for them. When someone shares a struggle with you, don’t just forget all about them! Follow up with them through more conversations. Don’t be afraid to send them a prayer card through the mail, and check in on them via text.

Abby wants to encourage you to be a light in the dark places, even if you don’t feel like you’re in any,, “dark places.” You can be a light for the Lord at your church, school, etc. The people in those places need Jesus just as much as people living on the streets.

Fully Known, Fully Loved

In summary, Jesus is a life-changer. He transformed Abby’s life, and is using her for his kingdom. Isn’t that amazing?

Since Abby is loved, chosen, and flawless in her Savior’s eyes, she doesn’t have to worry about what other people think of her, and neither do you!

I hope Abby’s story has encouraged you. Remember that you’re not on a stage performing for anyone. You’re already fully known and fully loved by the one who spoke you into being.