HGTV Star Relies on This Bible Verse When She Faces Criticism
By Movieguide® Contributor
Jenny Marrs shared a word from Galatians which helped give her peace and understand that she can rest in a job well done, rather than being anxious about what others think.
“‘Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done you work well, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.’ Galatians 6:4,” the HGTV star wrote, sharing a Bible verse that has helped her with self-doubt. “These words are tucked within Paul’s letter most known for his teaching on the fruits of the Spirit. I hadn’t really noticed this unassuming line before it jumped off the page this morning and I read it several times, slowly.”
“You see, we work really hard all year — heads down, focused — without outside feedback,” Marrs continued. “We just do our jobs and ensure our clients are happy with their homes. Then, when the season begins airing each week, we receive an onslaught of opinions, criticisms and ratings’ pressure. It’s the strangest part of this job of ours.”
“It used to bother me imminently. I would stay up late at night reading the comments — my heart racing and my hands shaking — sleep then became elusive,” she added. “I’d later find myself paralyzed by decisions, wondering how viewers would react when watching.”
She and her husband Dave faced criticism last month when they added a “catio” to a client’s home. One viewer said the “The lovely room that you build really isn’t a catio.”
“The conversations and planning that takes place cannot all be included or each episode would span an entire season,” Marrs explained at the time. “Just always assume what we do is ALWAYS based on what the homeowners ask for. It’s their home and we want them to be happy in it.”
READ MORE: ‘OVERWHELMINGLY GRATEFUL’: JENNY MARRS CELEBRATES HER LIFE, FAMILY
This Bible verse from Galatians addresses the nerves Marrs faced as it reminds her that we work — and live — for an audience of one: God. The thoughts and opinions of everyone else are secondary. Thus, if we work for Him and do what He calls us to do, we can know we did a job well done, even if the world is telling us otherwise.
It is incredibly important to understand this message as this is what it means to place our foundation on Christ; and it is only by placing our foundation on Christ that we can live an unshakable life that can endure the highs and lows that come. While most of us don’t have millions of people speaking into our lives like Marrs, everyone has people around them who criticize and judge at some point. Paul’s words are just as necessary then as they are for Marrs when her show airs.
“This morning, as I read Paul’s words, I felt a deep sense of peace,” Marrs said. “These days, I truly don’t care about the ratings or the critics (if you talk about my kids — I will go full momma-bear — but if you don’t like my paint color choices — oh well). I feel a deep satisfaction in doing my job to the very best of my ability and can trust God with the rest.”
“My prayer from day one has been and continues to be: God, protect my heart from both criticism and praise,” she continued. “And I know I’m not the only one. I know my job is weird and likely different from yours, but I also know the pressures of this world are relentless. Although this is vulnerable, I felt like I needed to share Paul’s words so someone else can be reminded: you don’t need to bear the weight of the world. Simply work hard, love those around you well, and trust God for the rest. As a dear friend often says: All will be well.🤍”
Season 6 of the Marrses show FIXER TO FABULOUS is currently airing.
“We didn’t think we’d be doing it this long,” Dave said of their run on HGTV. “We feel like it’s a ministry. We feel like when we’re not supposed to do the show anymore, God will say ‘I’m closing this door and opening another one.’”
As of right now, it looks like the show will return for Season 7.
READ MORE: DAVE AND JENNY MARS DISH ON FIXER TO FABULOUS BEHIND-THE-SCENES SECRETS: ‘MASS CHAOS’
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