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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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What a great lesson for me today. I’ve often stood in my kitchen & not reflected the light of Christ to my children, then consequentially burdened myself with shame.
God, help me to rise up and be the woman of peace you’ve made me to be.
After all that God has bought me through, I still have fear of not being able to handle some things with His help & I would truly appreciate prayer & direction on having a more intimate relationship with Hin
Thank you for today’s devotional. I sometimes do have moments when I feel guilty. I think maybe I wasn’t patient enough with my daughter or my husband. And I hate that nagging feeling that I did something horrible. But when we live by grace everything is a teaching moment from God. Please include me in the drawing for your devotional book. I do believe that it could help me not onlygrow my devotional time with God, but also grow to know God’s perfect purpose for not so perfect me! Thank you!
I loved today’s devotion. My daughter is dealing with a recent breakup and was having a bad evening last night. As the evening went on she seemed to be getting short with her 3 year old daughter and me. I pulled her aside and explained to her that I understand she’s going through a rough time but that she shouldn’t take it out on the people that love and care for her especially her daughter who is too small to comprehend whats going on but realizes that things have changed. I encourage her to open up to me any time she feels the need to talk. A little while later, she came into my room and apologized. It seemed that when she sat down and reflected on the evening she realized what happened and asked for forgiveness and patience. The holy spirits conviction was obvious. I know we could all benefit emotionally and spiritually from a copy of your book , please enter us in the drawing.
Good stuff needed this today
Wow, I could so relate. Especially the beginning story. I have had many days where I have struggled with that.
Wow. This was exactly what I needed to hear today. I struggle so much with self-doubt and am always trying to be “good enough” on my own. It’s like a constant battle in my mind to rely on God and walk in His freedom instead of trying to be in control, which leads to feeling like a failure and doubting whether or not I can even do this whole “walking with God” thing. I would love to win a copy of this devotional book. I am so in need of a fresh perspective and a new outlook. For too long I have continued to stay trapped in the cycle of self- doubt, and for too long I’ve been relying on myself and other people to take that doubt away and fill me with confidence. I really feel like I would benefit from reading this book, and since we are on a tight budget with no room for extra spending, it would be a wonderful blessing and treat if I were to win a copy.
Thank you Renee and P31 ministries for caring about women enough to share your struggles and your encouragement with us! So blessed by this ministry!
I feel like I blow it often with my children. I end up feeling like I am not cut out to be a mom. I apologize and we hug and kiss and things are good, until the next time I blow it. I’m really trying to work on reacting with a positive attitude.
I enjoy reading your devotions and I realize that they are always timely. Must be a God Thing!
Thank you and Bless you!
Loved this devotion and also reading the responses of my sister’s in Christ. This goes along with the theme of the year the Lord has been sweetly whispering in my ear that His grace is sufficient. It also left me with a bit of conviction about the way I respond to my family at times. I myself need to offer more grace. Thanks again.
I am praying that I will extend mercy as God has extended mercy. I want to extend mercy to people (parents who lie incessantly!). It is so hard to be obedient to God’s commandment to “honor your mother and your father”. His commandment to “Not Lie” holds some weight too. Urgh … only God knows how my spirit is grieving.
I really needed that. I’ve been really struggling lately with many things going on in my life. My boyfriend of 7 years, with a severe addiction problem (he is going to get help) has not been easy to deal with and I definitely haven’t handled things the right way. My temper has really taken over because I’m having trouble cooping with the problem. I felt everything was my fault, no matter what I did right.
Things got pretty bad and I almost completely lost faith in God while wondering why I could feel so hurt and lost . Until I read this and the Proverbs 31 Devo. Thank you so much. This was exactly what I needed to hear today.
I read both this devotion, plus the one on Proverbs 31 today. They are both excellent, but I have to confess that reading the one about your ruined day of writing, stressed me out and I began to feel angry. I think it touched a nerve for sure. Haha! Thank you for your transparency.
I felt like I was reading a memory from my own life! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. May The Lord continue to bless you.
Your devotional today really resonated with me. It seems that when I am preparing for leading a conference or Bible Study, that’s when life starts crashing around me. Such is the case this week as I plan to lead a conference at a ministers wives retreat. I don’t know what God has planned to do through me & in me at the retreat this weekend, but it must be something big!
GUILTY!!! Thank you for your transparency!!! Wow!!! I can totally relate….
GODS timing is so perfect. TODAY was the day-feeling like this was just for ME.
God Bless!!!
I have been struggling lately with frustration and knowing if I was still able to be used. This post really touched me today. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! Thank you so much, i really needed that today! I am always so hard on myself when I slip up or have a bad day. I am in constant need of being reminded that I God is not as hard on me as I am, that He loves me regardless and wants to still use me for His glory!
Thank you for that reminder.
I loved your devotion today. I use condemning statements to myself but I am going to try (with God’s help) to recognize them and turn to the Lord instead, who loves me no matter what. I need to learn how to recognize convicting words from Him instead. Thanks for your encouraging words today.