Self-reliance, or what Paul elsewhere called living according to “the flesh,” puts an enormous weight on your shoulders. Because the problem with being the one in charge is you are the one in charge.

When you fall into the trap of believing you’re the center of the story, life becomes one giant competition.

Adam and Eve put themselves at the center of the story and were so overwhelmed with their shortcomings that they overcompensated by going into performer mode.

When self is at the center, your own little kingdom is constantly under attack. Conflict threatens your self-image. Critique threatens your self-esteem. Mistakes threaten your self-righteousness. You take everything personally because everything feels personal.