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Sometimes I wonder how I can go from being in such a good place with God … feeling peaceful, loving and patient.. but then something happens that sends me into an orbit of aggravation!!
It happened just the other day…
Things were going well. I’d had a lovely afternoon working from home. Alone. Life was peachy.
But then school got out and kids came home. Within 15 minutes of arrival, one of my boys did something and said something that wasn’t so peachy. Then he did NOT do something I’d asked him to do and let’s just say… I lost all my peace and patience right there in the middle of my kitchen.
I was not happy.at.all. And I let my precious boy know it in a not-so-nice kind of way.
Then I felt GUILTY and like the WORST MOM on the planet.
For a few minutes I was pretty sure that’s exactly how God wanted me to feel ~ so I wouldn’t act so ugly the next time.
But finally, after I’d almost convinced myself that I was the worst mom and had no business in ministry, I remembered something a pastor said about the difference between conviction and condemnation. He explained it like this:
Condemnation sweeps across our thoughts with generalized statements such as, You’re such a failure, You’re so hypocritical, or You can never be counted on. That is the accuser. His tone is condemning, questioning, and confusing. His accusations lead to guilt and shame.
But the Holy Spirit’s conviction will be specific. He will reveal a sinful action or attitude and instruct us on what we need to do to right the wrong: whether it’s restoring a broken relationship or returning something that isn’t ours. He’ll give us steps we need to take to change our behavior or attitude.
• Instead of You’re such a failure as a [wife, mom, daughter, friend], the Spirit might say, You were really critical the way you talked to _________ (your husband, child, parent, etc). You need to say you are sorry and ask for forgiveness. Then tell them something that will build them up instead of tearing them down.
• Instead of You’re so hypocritical, the Spirit might say, You judge others for gossiping, but you are doing the same thing when you talk about your neighbor at work. Tomorrow at lunch break, apologize for what you said and share a few things that are positive about her.
• Instead of You can never be counted on, the Spirit might say, You didn’t keep your promise to go see your mom today. Call her to apologize and maybe set up a lunch date for this weekend.
Satan condemns accusingly, to make us feel guilty. God convicts lovingly, to lead our hearts to repentance. {tweet this?}
Jesus’ convictios draws us away from destructive behavior that hinders our relationship with Him and with others. His goal is to bring us out of the darkness of sin and back into the Light, so we can walk with Him in the freedom of forgiveness and the confidence of His love.
The next time we blow it or lose it, let’s ask Jesus to replace our guilt-induced doubt with HIS grace-infused confidence, as we hold onto the promise that His grace is sufficient because His power is made perfect in our weakness.
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Thanks for the reminder of God’s grace. I need to apologize to someone right now so I can quit feeling guilty and get on with what God has planned for me.
Boy this sure hit home with me. Not only a great reminder of God’s grace but that we are a work in progress, always being refined. Thank you.
Good thoughts to ponder. Thank you for sharing.
Would love to win the book too!
I did the online Bible study of your Confident Heart book last year and it was such a blessing. I remember this excerpt from one of the chapters. Through reading the book and the Scripture included throughout the study, I’ve learned that I can be confident in the grace God gives me daily to overcome self-doubt, fear, and anxiety. I would love to have a copy of the devotional to go along with the book. Thanks so much for following God’s calling to write this and help so many women who struggle with self-doubt and helping them realize that they are God’s masterpiece.
So many times I will let my patience fly out the window and forget to be focused on speaking words of life and having mercy for others. Christ had mercy on us, but we so easily forget to share that mercy with others. It’s just like the parable of the servant who was forgiven his debt but immediately went out and demanded payment from a fellow servant that owed much less to him. We’ve been forgiven it all, but we can’t let the chatter of the enemy hold us in guilt and shame, telling us we aren’t good enough. Thank you for your honest post and devotional today. It gives us all that sigh of relief that we all make mistakes and all have grace through Christ! God Bless!
Thank you so much, Renee, for the lovely reminder that God can indeed use me in my mess. I needed to hear that right now!
Blessings to you,
Lori Lynn
So many times we beat ourselves up with guilt instead of going to the Father; asking for his forgiveness; accepting His grace and then moving on to fulfill His will in us.
Although I am not a mother, I definitely see this in how I confront my two younger brothers when they misbehave. Most the time I am the condemning type, and I usually end up feeling negative or guilty afterwards but it is hopeful to learn that there is a better way!
Hi. Decided to share with you in hopes of gaining wisdom from others. I love the lord. The word says, “If you love the Lord, you will keep his commandments”. I desire to to know the Lord and to love others as I love myself. But, some days it is not so easy to love. My confidence in my abilities are at an all time low. I feel like a failure most days. I miss the mark most days.
It is wonderful to know I am not the only one that gets frustrated. I have a daughter with Autism and a teenage son. So needless to say, my patience gets stretched pretty tight. Thank you for being so open and honest about your person experiences. It makes me feel better! God Bless~
So very thankful that His grace is sufficient because His power is made perfect in our weakness. Love reading your work – it always ministers to me. Thanks so much for being real.
Great message and a good way to begin my day. Because of the realization of your wrong, you were absolutely the one to deliver a message. It is very much like having a shared experience with others. You understand because you have been there, done that. Others may be more open to the message when you are where they are, sharing together. thank you for not giving up on your message. God uses us where we are.
I needed this!!! Thank you
I very much needed this today! Thank you for the explanation between conviction and condemnation. I snapped at my husband last night during a conversation about swimming lessons for our daughter. We didn’t see eye to eye and instead of listening when he was making valid points, I snapped and went to bed angry which is wrong. Thankfully His mercies are new each morning! And my sweet husband kissed me goodbye this morning like nothing had happened.
This devotional hit very close to home! God knew it was just what I needed!
Wow! what a real and “easy to relate to” kind of story. Many times before I sing at my church, I think God why did you ask me to do this and am I really qualified to share your message in song to these people? All of the incidents from the recent past come rushing to my mind of how I did not respond with a giving or a compassionate heart…. and that voice in my head says… “See, these are the reasons why you shouldn’t be in front of all these folks you love..you’re not godly enough.” Thank you for sharing that story of your frustration; it reminded me we all have to take each day, each situation and each moment to “renew our mind” with what God says in His Word. Romans 12:2
Thanks for the reminder that we are all a work in progress! It can be easy to hear the words of others and absorb them as final truth. PTL there is grace and that our God is Truth.
Your devotion today made me cry (well, not ‘sob sob’ cry, but tears fell from my eyes just the same.) It is SO amazing how women deal with the same issues in daily living. Your story could have been written by ME, because I have frequent days like yours. You look forward to a particular situation/event, have everything planned down to the minute, just to have total chaos interfere from almost the beginning. (And I KNOW very well that tightening in the stomach…the blood pressure building..plus perspiration starting to come from my forehead…lol) Anyway, the verse you shared today was quite soothing to my heart! The response of your women’s ministry leader was PERFECT. I will never forget it. I’m glad it all worked out, and I thank you for writing devotions/books that relate to so many women just striving to live a godly life in this tough world today. Bless you!
WOW! What a great word. I understand exactly how the enemy can use our emotions against us for self-doubt. How beautiful it is when a child of God can stand before everyone and be totally transparent, like Adam and Eve before the fall. When someone does that, it gives room for the Holy Spirit to move and that is when lives and hearts are truly changed! What a beautiful place to be – almost like back in The Garden with Him, without shame!
Thank you for sharing and your honesty! I needed to hear this today.