Many Christians were taught that if their faith feels heavy, the solution is always the same: pray more, read more, try harder.But no one ever tells you when it’s enough.That’s because the system most of us inherited doesn’t have a finish line.In this episode of Thinking Allowed, we examine the belief system that turns faith into an endless improvement project, one where effort replaces trust and rest starts to feel irresponsible.Jesus didn’t invite people to impress God.He invited them to trust Him.If your spiritual life feels exhausting, this conversation may help you name why, and give you permission to question a system that keeps asking for more but never offers peace.*Topics explored in this episode:*--Why “trying harder” often increases pressure instead of freedom--How faith quietly becomes performance without us noticing--Why the absence of “enough” creates spiritual anxiety--What Jesus actually meant when He invited the weary to restThis episode is for anyone who feels sincere, committed, and tired, and suspects the problem may not be their effort, but the framework they were given.Thinking Allowed S01E06📘 *FREE RESOURCE:*Ready to dig deeper? Download my free resource **Why Trying Harder Is Making Your Faith Worse**: https://michaelwilson.org/ta-bonuses⛪ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITY:*If you’re in the West Tennessee area, join us at Renovatus Church—a space for the misfits, the dreamers, and the discontent. 📍 202 East Court St, Dyersburg, TN (The Community Church's youth room) Sundays @ 6:00 PM 🌐 Website: https://renovatus.org/✨ *CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:*Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelWilson70If this conversation resonates, hit the like button and share your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.#SpiritualAnxiety#RestInChrist#FaithNotPerformance#ChristianLiving

Are you stuck in a never-ending cycle of guilt, shame, and "altar call" promises you can’t seem to keep?For many of us, we were taught that repentance means shrinking, groveling, and beating ourselves up until we feel "sorry enough" for God to accept us. But what if that version of repentance isn’t actually biblical? What if it’s actually a religious tool that keeps us stuck in a cycle of performance rather than leads us to true freedom?.In this episode, Michael Wilson dismantles the cultural Christianity "shame-loop" and explores the radical, original meaning of the word Metanoia.In this video, we discuss:-- The "Saved Every Sunday" Cycle: Why emotional responses at an altar don't always lead to transformation.-- Why the Greek word metanoia means "to change your mind" or "reorient your thinking," not just to feel sorry.-- How Romans 2:4 proves that God’s goodness—not the threat of hell—is what lead us to change.-- How Jesus treated people like Zacchaeus and the woman caught in adultery with inclusion and clarity rather than demands for groveling.-- A Daily Practice: A simple question to help you shift from "What did I do wrong?" to "What am I believing that isn't true?".📘 *FREE RESOURCE:*Ready to dig deeper? Download my free guide **Repentance Reconsidered**: https://michaelwilson.org/ta-bonuses⛪ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITY:*If you’re in the West Tennessee area, join us at Renovatus Church—a space for the misfits, the dreamers, and the discontent. 📍 202 East Court St, Dyersburg, TN (The Community Church's youth room) Sundays @ 6:00 PM 🌐 Website: https://renovatus.org/✨ *CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:*Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelWilson70Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!#ChurchHurt #Deconstruction #SpiritualAbuse #Repentance #Metanoia #ThinkingAloud #CulturalChristianity #Grace #ReligiousTrauma

Jesus was constantly in the wrong places with the wrong people—at least according to the religious experts. We often treat "the lost" like a category of people to fix, a project to manage, or a problem to solve. But what if being lost isn’t about your worth, but about your belonging?In this episode, we’re dismantling the "sin management" version of Christianity to look at the heart of Jesus. Through the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the two sons, we expose the flaw in how we view outsiders. Because for something to be lost, it must first belong.In this video, we discuss:--Why "lostness" is about displacement, not defiance.--The danger of being lost inside the house (the older brother syndrome).--Shifting our lens from "fixing" people to making room at the table.--How God searches for you not out of anger, but because you matter.Stop living like a servant for what already belongs to you. It’s time to think your way to freedom.📘 *FREE RESOURCE:*Ready to dig deeper? Download my free guide Lost Things Matter: https://michaelwilson.org/ta-bonuses