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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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Your devotion today was so real. Thank you.
I really related to the article of the day starting off well and all of a sudden a tailspin. Then the words that are spoken out of frustration makes a mountain out of a mole hill. #powerfullesson
I just read your devotional that came as part of my daily readings from Bible Gateway. I appreciated your message and the thought “You were appointed and anointed for this…” has lingered with me. I needed to hear that today as my failures and setbacks try to assail me and keep me from the ministries that God has given to me. Thank you.
I needed to read this today!
I find that doubt in my ability to be used by Christ can really trip me up at times. I so appreciate knowing that I am not alone in this. When my head knows the truth but my heart response is in the flesh, the outcome is messy. The Holy Spirit keeps me humble and graciously allows me to be a part of the things that He is doing. I wonder if I did not struggle in this way if I would be less aware of what God is up to in this world. Would I be prone to focus on my own effort and strength? So, I strive to praise God for my weaknesses, for it is there that His glory shines brightest in my life.
This meditation spoke to me words of God’s grace and mercy. Thank ou. I’m saving it to read again.
Sometimes the negative, condemning words come from those around us and it is hard not to believe them. Thank you for reminding me that God does not condemn but convict…
Thank you so much for sharing this. This really relates to how I feel somedays. I feel like I am not good enough or worthy enough for God’s grace. I have in fact questioned/doubted my self and had to do some deep soul searching. I really feel like God Himself sent this message to me today. It really spoke volumes. Thanks and God bless you.
It is so easy to recognize your own faults and feel so unworthy of the saviors love. It takes courage, strenght and faith to believe that even in our “imperfectness” we can be an instrument for good. I struggle with this on a daily basis. I need the constant reminders and encouragement. As I pray and read scruptures each day it helps, but I have a long way to go. Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights.
Thanks for this reminder. I have been living in guilt and doubt over the past week and desparately needed to hear and be reminded of God’s grace and the tactics Satan uses to discourage us. This was like shining a light in the darkness, a place to start, a ray of hope!
This speaks so strongly to my heart. It’s one of those “hit me in the face” moments. For the past 45 days, I’ve been doubting the work I’ve been doing within a 19 year ministry. Your “No More Guilt Induced Doubt” devotional is exactly what I have needed to hear. Thank you for sharing. I would love to receive the book to continue the healing and guidence.
I so needed to hear this today. Thank you for being real with us!
I enjoyed this today! I sometimes forget that i am still loved by God as messy as i can be sometimes. I am my own worst critic. Sharing our humanness and mistakes helps us to relate to one another, and know we are not alone or unique in our being human!
This post really resonated with me. I so often can go from feeling “peachy” to an “orbit of aggravation” in a split second and then the feelings of guilt and unworthiness take over. Thank you for this post!
Love your messages!
Thankyou for all your encouraging devotions! I esp needed today’s. That’s me exactly. I struggle with guilt so often, feeling like I can’t possibly be good enough to raise these kids that God gave me. But I’m so grateful for Gods grace.
I’ve never been the speaker for a women’s retreat, but I was the speaker last night at our monthly ladies ministry get-together. I could very much relate to your feelings about not being qualified and not living up to what I was sharing… I so appreciate your honesty in what you shared, along with a scripture that covers this (and gives us peace and joy) so well…. Well done!!!
This was just what I needed to hear this morning. I am very critical of myself and don’t always feel worthy of God or his love. Thank You for this devotional on this day.
Thank you for your heart. I love your book The Confident Heart as well as your devotional. My husband and I have been reading them together. I would love to share them with the ladies in my ministry. God bless all that you do.
I have done the same thing this past week with both of my boys. I am so glad you shared this as I was feeling Satan attack and God convict. Thank you for sharing.