Living Under the Influence: How Grace Sets Us Free from the Performance Mindset

The performance mindset leaves many Christians feeling stuck-working hard to please God but never quite feeling at peace. Doubts creep in, making the peace of God feel just out of reach, as if we're playing an endless if/then game: If I do everything right, then maybe I'll be okay with God.

Living Under the Influence shows how grace frees us from that cycle. It invites us to confront five common myths we often believe about God and ourselves:

If I pray and read the Bible more, then God will change how I feel about myself.

If I live a holy life and make good choices, then God will be pleased with me.

If my life is messy, then God won't choose or accept me.

If I clean up my act first, then God can use me in His kingdom.

If I become a better person, then God will bless me with a better life.

If you're a Christ-follower who genuinely wants to love God through how you live, this book offers a different lens-a way of thinking rooted not in performance, but in grace. And grace changes everything.

Todd Schultz is an experienced writer and educator with a passion for communicating the transformative power of the grace of God. His years of teaching and ministry provides scriptural insight for growing as a believer and practical application for living out the Christian life. Todd teaches doctoral students at Liberty University and lives in Chattanooga, TN, where he and his wife Jackie enjoy photographing the historic and natural landscapes of the southeast.