I inherited many wonderful things from my father: his olive skin, his love of music, his zeal for learning. But one of the more challenging things he bequeathed to me is my unrealistic concept of time.

Overly idealistic, I try to cram 47 activities into a single day. I begin a Saturday morning dreaming of all the chores I’ll accomplish, people I’ll see, books I’ll read, projects I’ll complete.

But then, as time flits by at a normal pace and I’ve only checked off a few things on my to-do list, I wonder why I can’t make it all work. I convince myself that others can do it, so why can’t I?

I point to the superwomen I know at church, the executives who seem to have it all together, the blogger who appears to visit 20 countries in a day, take care of her family, and make it on time to all her doctors’ visits.

Do you ever feel this way? Like everyone else seems to handle their daily lives just fine, and you must be doing something gravely wrong?

I remember telling one of my close friends about this feeling. “How do you manage to get it all done? Why can’t I do enough?” I asked her, eyes brimming with tears. She laughed warmly and hugged me. “Oh, Hannah,” she said, “I so don’t have it all together. I constantly feel like I’m behind!”

That’s when I realized I was being unfair: both to myself and to others. I was holding myself to unrealistic standards and assuming others were better than me—hurting myself in the process.

It’s easy to get down on ourselves for what we can’t do. If you’re feeling this way today—overwhelmed by the expectations you place on yourself—take a few moments to reflect on the God’s grace and love God as they pray through these verses:

God, help me feel your grace and power over me.

But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. — 2 Corinthians 12:9, GNTD

Lord, show me to have faith in your goodness and love for me. Help me fight against the lies I sometimes believe about myself.

At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. — Ephesians 6:16, GNTD

God, thank you for making me yours. Remind me that you do not condemn me—that you love and empower me.

There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.— Romans 8:1, GNTD

God, thank you for telling me I don't have to do it all on my own.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. — Proverbs 3:5-6, GNTD

Lord, show me how I am not perfected by my actions, by proving I can be good enough. Remind me that I am perfected through your love for me—and that all I need to do is live in the knowledge of your love for me and others around me. Help me to have grace for myself. Thank for your perfect love. Amen.

If we declare that Jesus is the Son of God, we live in union with God and God lives in union with us. And we ourselves know and believe the love which God has for us. God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them. Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's. There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. — 1 John 4:15-18a, GNTD