​A “douse” of encouragement for today…

“Have you lost your joy? Paul sensed that the Galations had lost the joy of their salvation because of legalism. Legalism can take away joy because (1) it makes people feel guilty rather than loved; (2) it produces self-hatred rather than humility; (3) it stresses performance over relationship; (4) it points out how far short we fall rather than how far we’ve come because of what Christ did for us. If you feel guilty and inadequate, check your focus. Are you living by faith in Christ or by trying to live up to the demands and expectations of others?” -Endnote for Galatians 4 (Life Application Study Bible, NASB)
Legalism:  strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit. (Source)
Faith: strong or unshakeable belief in something, esp. without proof or evidence (Source)