I couldn’t silence the words used to describe how much I’d disappointed her.
An email filled with criticism had slipped into my inbox that week and it hurt my feelings … for days.
The shooting pain of failure, regret, and flaw-focused thinking struck like lightening through my heart.
That one email set off a storm of self-doubting emotions. It’s amazing what one person’s criticism can do.
When my children or someone criticizes me as a mom, I’ll start doubting myself as a mom. When someone criticizes me as a friend, it will doubt my ability to be a good friend. Ten people could say something nice to me or about me, but what I will remember most is that one person’s criticism. How about you?
After being tossed and turned by the winds of my people-pleasing tendencies, I finally called a friend to process my emotions and the harsh email. With wisdom she told me:
“Renee, you’ll never be perfect. And if you ever get to where you are, you will be all alone!”
Boy, she was right!
I am not perfect.
I’ll never be perfect.
And if I ever get there, I will be all alone.
Sweet friend, I don’t know if you ever feel like a failure ~ completely imperfect and full of flaws – like I do sometimes. But here is what I do know ~
Jesus was the only perfect Person to walk this earth… yet He was constantly criticized.
But, guess what? Nowhere is it recorded in scriptures that Jesus ever doubted Himself. No matter what, He stayed secure in His purpose and confident in His calling.
That day, my friend spoke reality into my reeling feelings. And God used her wisdom to reminded me: Jesus depended solely on His Father’s approval.
What His Father said {about Him} was all that mattered {to Him}. And that is what He wants for you, too.
No matter what, God loves you and He is there for you… not to criticize you but to encourage you.
- He is there in the midst of your sometimes lonely, imperfect life… when your disappointments and failures leave you empty and make you doubt your worth and purpose.
- He is there when you’re going through the motions, aware of what needs to be done but afraid you won’t be able to do it all.
- He is there when you’re criticizing yourself and questioning whether you have what it takes to be a godly woman.
He sees you. He notices all you do and He knows what you need. Today He is pursuing you with the gift of His perfect love — love that is patient and kind, love that keeps no record of your wrongs, love that won’t ever give up on you!
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Until reading your blog today, I had never thought about the Bible not having a single sentence about Jesus doubting himself. Your comment on Jesus depending solely on God’s approval also gave me pause for reflection. How often are our insecurities due to caring too much about other’s approval, instead of focusing on the only one who matters, God? This was a powerful thought and moment for me! I will truly look at things differently now. I am grateful for your words.
Having any kind of confidence is a struggle for me. One day I can be confident but the next a bunch of tears and anxious thoughts. After several failed relationships I thought…. I was sure I found “The one” he was a good GODLY Christian man, I was sure I “Just KNEW’ and then he kicked me to the curb…. I have spent several days going back and forth between faith and connfidence and sadness, rejection, and unworthiness… knowing based on where I have been and the things I have done means I am not worthy of a good and GODLY man… constantly doubting myself …..
Just exactly the devotion i needed today! My favourite story in the Bible is Jesus and the woman at the well.
I have really been struggling at work recently. My coworkers have left me feeling distant and unworthy. It is so difficult when I try and find my joy and worth from the world and forget there is a Father that has never left me and is waiting for me to run back to him. I am so thankful he forgives me for neglecting Him.
Usually I rest in knowing God’s love for me but there are occasions when the enemy whispers doubt in my ear – getting better at recognizing it & waging war against his schemes to take me out! Thank You, Jesus, that You love us with an everlasting love & Your mercies are new every morning! I’d love to win the devo pack! Loaned my copy of you book to my sister!
Checking out the book for myself and my mom. I struggle with this daily also but my mom is in a state of serious depression and it all stems from her past and not letting go and believing that because of her past she isn’t good enough and no one loves or cares for her and she feels very alone and won’t listen to anyone. I pray she will listen to God. I plan to print this and let her read it and get her the book!! Thank you for writing the words God gives you to help others. God is good. He gives us what we need when we need it.
It would help me so much to receive the help of your package deal Renee I would use it to help me..I struggle so much and I do know God and I can get through things together…butI don’t always let God help me. Sometimes I get scared. I also try to be a good listener, and talk with my friends. I am very good at encouraging friends..I wish I could let God help myself too.
I shall continue to work on things…I do know the Lord is awesome and I love the Lord.
I just seem to doubt sometimes.
As I just began staying at home full-time with my kids and leaving my career, I have felt overwhelmed with the change. Some days I question my ability to have patience and strength to guide and school my children. Thank you for the encouragement today.
I am really struggling with confidence and acceptance right now. I’m def going to check out your book. Thank you for all you do.
I’m always doubting myself. I’m going through a divorce and I am happy to have come across your Blog. As a mother of 5 boys I need to be confident in myself. Thank you Renee for this awesome book!
The gift you have bringing Gods word to us is a blessing. Tnsnk you for sharing your gift.
We all receive messages or have different perceptions at a young age; mine was that I wasn’t good enough. I didn’t grow up in an abusive home nor was neglected with primary needs, but my family endured a lot of loss at a young age which caused some of my family to be absent when needed. I felt like no matter what I did, it wasn’t good enough, that I had to be good enough not only for myself but for those that we lost. It is a struggle so many face and a struggle that is hard to re-wire in ourselves. I’m interested in your book to see how to gain a confident heart. Thank you for today’s devotion.
After three failed marriages, being a domestic violance survivor and raising three kids on my own. I struggle every day. I do my daily devotions and honestly having the lord in my life I am not so alone. I try to make good decisions every day and I work very hard putting the train back on the tracks. I really could use prayers and help.
Thank you for writing this amazing book! “Perfection” is a struggle for many and a personal one for myself. I hope this book is a blessing to many!
“He sees you. He notices all you do and He knows what you need.”
That was exactly the refreshing encouragement I needed this morning! I will be clinging to that reminder of God’s love and presence all day. Thank you!
Beckey
http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenbsbusywork
I woke up this morning after a restless night with a heavy heart. The caregiver for my parents had emailed me last night to say she was leaving after 4 months with us to care for her grandma who had brain cancer. My parents are both disabled and I’m single with no siblings caring for them. How did I find your blog? Through the Bible Gateway Encouragement article you wrote about the Samaritan woman. When you mentioned “endless projects, laundry and diapers” I found myself encouraged to believe that Jesus is taking the time to meet with me in these stressful lonely days, and this blog tells me I’m valuable in His sight even though I feel so ostracized and worthless at the office since I started working part-time. Thank you for reminding me that God is with us in our struggles and that He hasn’t left us …
Thank you!! I needed this today! You will never know how much!
I truly feel as though this devotional was speaking to me personally this morning. I have second guessed myself all of my life. Within the last two years i have struggled to remain confident in gods plan for me. I dove head first into faith by quitting a well paying job after having my first child and going back to nursing school. Because of my new found faith i was able to succeed and graduated last december! Although the whole time i struggled for confidence in myself. I took the nclex and failed the first time and will now be taking it again tomorrow (june 25th). Any prayers would be much appreciated. I have been studying for the past 6 weeks feeling so lonely and unsure of myself even though i have put the time into it. I could use some encouragement to get me through this exam in order for me to be used as a vessel of god to give back and touch as many people’s lifes in this career. God i ask today to provide me with the confidence to go foward with your plan for me!
You can do this Courtney! Praying for your success with the exam and with your nursing career. You should be very proud of yourself. This world needs more caring nurses. Thank you for choosing this challenging but rewarding path. Good luck and hugs!
I have always struggled to be perfect, perfect in my parents eyes, perfect in my mother’s eyes, perfect in my eyes. I’ve never quite grasped the ability to be perfect in Jesus eyes. I’m hopeful that one day, I’ll accept the fact that Jesus perfect love is enough. Thank-you for your blog, for your book, and for sharing yourself.
I have been reading your book A Condident Heart and I cannot begin to tell you the work God is doing in my life through the words in this book. It has spoken so strongly to some major needs in my life. I have faced some extremely tough times these past few months , then I woke up this morning dreading facing the day and trying to make good decisions as a christian mom. The words in your devotion today were like words spoken directly from Hod to quiet my soul. Thank you so much for those words that you shared.