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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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Thank you so much for your devotion and sharing your moments! “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…and is a discerned of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). When we study the Bible, it requires that we have a personal relationship with the Author. When I have come apart moments like you have described, and I open my devotions to find the message you had to share today, I come face to face with God showing me what I need to hear at just the right time!! His timing!! To be confronted with Gods prerecord end answers in the Bible is to be confronted with God Himself!!!WOW!! I would love to win a copy of your daily devotion book!!
Needed this today! I know I am harder on my mothering abilities than others are. A good reminder.
I lack confidence in most areas of my life. I am a peace maker! I try to sooth everyone else’s problems and not focus on my own. I am probably contributing to their problems more than helping by trying to “fix it”. I was able to gain some confidence in Oct when I asked my husband to leave after 20 years of him abusing alcohol and drugs. Now I see that he wasn’t the only problem, it was I as well. My kids have suffered greatly from the disease. I need to gain control of my household. I ask for God’s strength and Confidence to set boundaries and rules and routines so there isn’t so much chaosis. My husband is doing much better working the 12 step program at AA. I too am in a program, but it is so hard to break bad habits. Thank you for listening…..I am not even sure what point I am trying to make. Thank you God for always loving and forgiving me daily! Anna
Thank you for your devotion it spoke volumes to me today. if I am honest. I listen more to the accuser & his condemnation.I buy the lie because of lack of intimacy there is something wrong with me.I struggle with co dependency,co sex addiction,social anxiety & self hatred..I struggle with clearly hearing the voice of God. & doubt myself & what God is doing in my life & marriage daily..Thank you for your reminder of how God speaks.
I often have mommy guilt and doubt. Thanks for this reminder!
It is easy to allow satan to bring us down and make us feel guilty and defeated. That is his plan, because when we feel defeated we surrender and defer from God’s plan. But inthe Lord’s great mercy He reminds us that is we fall, He picks us up. Thanks for sharing your encouraging message and reminding us we are in this struggle together.
Great lesson and makes total sense. The Lord puts it on our hearts to right the wrongs, not judge ourselves or others for our wrongs. Need to remember this lesson daily!
Thanks for all the uplifting and real thoughts!
God is so good!!
This devotion was right on time for me today! Thank you so much for just being transparent and allowing God to speak through you. I realize it isn’t easy to share ourselves. I have been struggling with God calling me to lead. To just step up and be obedient. The main struggle is just what you have written here. I am not perfect and have areas that I need to allow God to give me complete freedom from. However, I know He wants to use me and not let those failures continue to be failures but stepping stones. Victories to use for others’. Thank you again. A much needed word!
So good to be reminded of difference between conviction & condemnation.
Thanks for sharing. Such a good reminder.
Satan condemns accusingly, to make us feel guilty. God convicts lovingly, to lead our hearts to repentance. Love, Love, Love this!! Thank you for the reminder and for sharing your own struggles it is an encouragement to all Moms!
Thank you so much for sharing Renee! I often feel I am not up to the tasks that God has put before me. Thank you for making me feel that I am not alone in this 🙂 Elizabeth M
Guilt and doubt are two of the enemy’s favorite weapons against me. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you so much for the devotional. I have been blessed to know that I am not the only one and have sisters in Christ who have my feelings. Thank you everyone for sharing and being a blessing to me. The devotional was great and I am trying to put it to work in my life.
I truly am blessed by your devotionals online. Thank you so much, and GOD’S Blessing on and through you always.
Esther
I read the Proverbs 31 today, which led me to your blog. Both were things I needed to hear today. Our son and 5-year old grandson have been living with us for the past 4 1/2 years which has presented many challenges for me and my husband in many different ways. This morning was an especially difficult situation, and part of me wanted to say what I felt and in a manner that would have destroyed fragile feelings. I had prayed about the situation since about 4am, and although the outcome wasn’t as I had hoped at the time, I felt better about the way I handled the issue. I have definitely been in the ‘guilt’ frame of mind many times and hope that I continue to seek God’s grace and guidance first, because it will be through Him that things will rise and become better. Thank you for sharing your experience, it will help me in the future to remember to let God use me to His glory.
My lack of confidence and self doubt continue to plague me… although I know that God loves me and His Grace takes care of my downfalls. Thank you for your insight!
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! and God Bless!
I still have trouble putting my faith in God. But I know that if I trust Him, He will help ease all fear that I have.