My mistake?

Oh the terror we feel when we make a mistake: 'Will people think I'm no good; how will I explain myself; I wonder if people know?' I just experienced the very terror I'm describing. I made a very obvious mistake while playing the piano at my church on Sunday morning.  Immediately, the terror began:  'It wasn't my fault...the drummer came in late; what a loser I am...I should have done better; 'my fingers were cold...that's why I messed up.'

Exhausting!  So what's the solution?  Well, I could build myself up by thinking 'it's no biggie...everyone makes mistakes' or I can tear myself down by thinking 'I wonder if the leader noticed.  If he did, surely he'll think I'm a bad pianist.'

Or, I can apply the gospel:  'Of course I made a mistake, I'm a broken person living in a broken world.  Thankfully Christ knows I'm broken and accepts me just the way I am.'

What a relief.

Psalm 103:14  "For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust."