Overestimating It
Insights from The Weekly REBOOT
By: Evan Owens
Welcome to the final part of our "Over It!" series, where we've been learning how to stop overthinking and underestimating God. In this last part, we focus on overestimating—whether it's overestimating our problems, other people, or ourselves.
In the first part, we tackled overthinking and explored how to find peace by calling on the Lord and practicing gratitude. In the second part, we discussed overdoing it, using the story of Mary and Martha to examine the risks of trying to impress instead of focusing on what truly matters.
Understanding Overestimating
Today, we're diving into the impact of overestimating in three key areas: our problems, other people, and ourselves. When we overestimate these, it often leads to frustration and disappointment. Let's break down why that happens.
Overestimating Other People
Maya Angelou once said, “When somebody shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Overestimating others can set us up for disappointment, especially when we put people on a pedestal or expect more than they can give. We end up hurt when they don’t meet our expectations.
To avoid this, we must learn to see people for who they are, build trust over time, and set healthy boundaries. This approach helps us break the cycle of overestimating, getting hurt, and then underestimating others.
Overestimating Ourselves
We often overestimate our own capabilities, either out of pride or guilt. We commit to more than we can handle and then struggle to deliver. Overestimating ourselves can lead to stress, burnout, and damaged relationships. We can find humility through fear, falling from grace, or failing, which are moments that bring us back to reality.
Overestimating Our Problems
Anxiety often comes from overestimating our problems and underestimating our ability to overcome them. We create worst-case scenarios in our minds, giving life to fears that can spiral out of control. But when we look back, we often realize that our problems weren’t as insurmountable as they seemed at the time.
To overcome this, we need to remember that God is with us, and there's no need to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Scripture reminds us that we are not alone, and that God will never forsake us.
The Path Forward
As we wrap up this series, let's choose to stop overestimating ourselves, others, and our problems. Instead, let's focus on the one who holds the answers: Jesus. By shifting our perspective and embracing Biblical hospitality, we can let go of perfectionism and seek genuine connections.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, remember that it's okay to ask for help. You're not alone, and you don't have to face this journey by yourself. Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will be with you every step of the way.
Thank you for joining us in this series, and we hope you've found it helpful. If you'd like to learn more or need support, we're here for you. Let's embrace a new way of living, filled with peace, authentic connections, and a deeper relationship with God.