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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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I’ve been there so many times, thinking there’s no way I can be a good woman of God because I struggle with anger, jealousy, addiction, etc. Thank you for the reminder that that’s why we NEED the Savior. God bless you.
Wow, you have no idea how timely this is. If I hit a season in my life where it seems that condemnation is finding me from every angle- within my mind, from the mouths of strangers, even my husband ….. It’s torturous. And hard to find the soft voice if God and the Holy Spirit among all the noise. Thank you for your post! You have no idea how helpful it is! In His love, Patty
Thanks for sharing especially the differences between condemnation & conviction.
I was just talking about this on Monday night with my best friend. She is doubting if she is still a Christian and even questioning if God can use others including me because we have not yet overcome every issue in our lives. But I tell myself that regardless of her questioning or my own doubts, God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness…and I keep going!!
My middle daughter could really use a confidence booster. Sixteen, new school, new living arrangements, not many friends, family health issues–that’s a lot to deal with. And those poor middle children–they’re always the last ones to get any attention.
Your devotional today was just what I needed. I suffer from self doubt all r he time. This week I was trying to help a friend and was not successful and rhe doubt set in and them I started to think wrong things about our friendship.
Please enter me in the sweepstakes as I could definitely use the help!
May GOD bless you all today!
Wow, could I ever relate to your entry today! I sometimes share with God that He is using one of his weakest, sinful persons, who needs Him continuously, desperately. And because He chooses to use me, I am overwhelmed constantly by His great love! I certainly don’t deserve this love of HIS and am reminded of His grace, mercy, and love every time I get to breathe, live, and try to put others first. As a full time caregiver of my sister in the LORD, and mother of adult step and adopted children, who are not always receptive or even around, I am forever reminded that God is intentional in whom He chooses to serve. He chooses those who need Him the most! Otherwise, we could not possibly be sensitive to Him and to others’ needs! I am continually reminded when I mess up daily on many things, despite my best efforts NOT to mess up, that God loves me and everybody else unconditionally. WOW! That fact that He loves me every second and no matter what just comforts me so much! I just want to learn to love others the way He does. I know I cannot ever do that as well as He does, but I am encouraged to do all I can, the best I can for Him, no matter how much I mess up. I am learning to forgive myself as well as others. The enemy just wants to shovel guilt in our lives. But sisters, we just get the HOLY SPIRIT to blow that bad stuff right out and the LORD floods us with Living Water to refresh us all over again! Oh, how precious it is to share His love with all of you today! Praise the LORD now and forever!
We are usually quick to judge ourselves more harshly than we wrongly judge others….. Blessed to know God extends His grace!!
Wow! Today’s “Encouragement for Today” resonates with me as I always feels like I am not doing the things I should be doing that would make God proud of me. I have had several days like “no more guilt-induced doubts” then I beat myself after its all done.
I have felt God’s prompting to lead a women’s Bible study at our church but felt inadequate. Your post is the confirmation that it’s okay if I don’t know the scriptures end to end, but that I have a willing heart to serve. Thanks!
Renee, what an amazing and soul filling blog today. Your writing is always amazing but of course as God would have it, this is exactly what I needed today. I am wrecked with guilt in areas of my life and this sheds a whole new light on God’s love and grace for me, for everyone. Thank you so much!! I’d love to work through the Confident Heart devotional.
Read your devotional from P31. Loved it! Definitely something I need to hear. Thank you! !
Your devotional was just what I needed to hear today. Thank you.
This was what I needed to read today!
I believe when we mess up and feel badly about it that’s just Gods way of letting us know we have hearts for him and only him.
He made us human. We fail, we succeed. We mess up, we make up.
If we are listening we hear his voice leading along the path we need to follow but there will be times when we take another path. One that looks better at the moment. That’s when his love and conviction step in and guide us back to his heart.
Thank God for a shepherd who loves his wayward sheep a bit more than the ones who never stray.
God has been showing me this very thing. For years I didn’t understand the difference. It is freeing to understand that when God brings conviction, it is for our good. Only Satan keeps bringing up the past sins that have already been forgiven. Only Satan tells us the lies that God can’t love us. God’s conviction proves His love for us. He loves us too much to let us continue down the wrong path.
Sadly I do this more often than not, then I feel guilty for the rest of the day, and usually end up giving in when I shouldn’t.
I LOVE IT WHEN A DEVOTION TOUCHES ON EXACTLY WHAT I AM FEELING. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF A CHIRSTIAN DAYCARE…SOMETIMES I FEEL I AM ROCKING IT AND OTHERS I FEEL WHAT WAS GOD THINKING TO PUT ME IN CHARGE…..THATS WHEN I KNOW SATAN IS AROUND. I AM EXACTLY DOING WHAT GOD WANTS ME TOO. THANKS FOR THE REMINDER!
Thank you for this morning’s devotional. I start each morning enjoying Encouragement for Today and am inspired by the words each of you ladies share. Please enter me in the book draw.
This is very good to realize that you don’t have to feel guilty when you know you do wrong but to do what needs to be done to make it right. When you know better, you can do better!!!