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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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Wow – I needed that this morning. The response from the women’s ministry director not only spoke to your heart it spoke to mine. As a leader, it can sometimes feel like we have to have it all together in order to lead other women. And boy or boy I am definitely do not have it all together. Thank you for the reminder that we need to be clinging to Him in order to reflect that back to those around us.
Thank you for the encouragement today! I have these moments daily when I feel like a failure as a mother. I know it is only by God’s grace that I pick up the pieces, ask for forgiveness and try again.
WOW – God really knows what we need, when we need it. Feeling like the world’s worst wife and mother these days, everything was hitting me at once this morning after I got to work. But then I read the message today and realized that even though my family has all these issues – I can still be a blessing to others but only by God’s grace. He never leaves me – just had to be reminded. Thanks & God Bless!
needed to hear this message
MY “CO-DEPENCY” CAUSES ME TO FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERY BAD THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ANYBODY THAT I LOVE. THE HEAVY WEIGHT OF THAT STOPS ME FROM REACHING OUT TO THEM!!!!!!!!!!
So relate to the struggle in my though patterns that defeat me and many times almost cause me to stop leading, speaking, teaching and serving Him. Thank you for sharing this wisdom and insight and for also letting me know there is another Mom who loves God and is doing her best to serve Him amidst the craziness of life’s demands and often messes up too!
This is so true. Thank you for sharing.
I love your daily emails. I struggle with trying to be a Godly woman only to fall short on a daily basis. The emails I receive let me know I am not alone in this struggle and that God is still working on me. Thanks
This is just what I need right now in my life.
I have been fighting with depression and anxiety for so many years. i continue to blame myself for so many tragic events that have occurred in my life. The most difficult one I find is the fact that I was sexually abused by an uncle between the ages of 4 – 13 yrs. of age. Somewhere in my mind, I can’t help but blame myself and think that i should have known better. Forgiving myself for this has been a long and continual process. I am in hopes that after reading your book, i will have a sense of a new direction and a more self-aware way of forgiving myself. This was not my fault. I was a young child. I am so desperately trying to learn how to forgive myself over this awful event in my life.
Thank you! I needed this so badly. The devil stays in my head to remind me daily of all my failures past, present, and future. My soul is filled with self doubt until I read these encouraging words and than the Holy Spirit puts smile on my face and warms my heart and says….its ok to not be ok…. I’m here and you are forgiven. Hallelujah!
Thank you so much! Your words are a blessing to myself and many others.
This devotion was just what I needed this morning. My husband, mother in law and I are traveling from Minnesota to California, camping in our travel trailer. My mother in law has macular degeneration, glaucoma, and has hearing in only one ear (has a hearing aid for this ear). On this trip she has been diagnosed with shingles in her “good” ear, she had the shingles vaccine so is not experiencing pain (thank you Lord) but is unable to hear much at all unless it is repeated many times. Then she “may” understand. My husband also wears hearing aids. I am thankful to my Lord that I do not need hearing aids yet. So …. I am praying, and my friends and family also, for patience! Some days have been easier than others. Your devotion is just what I needed this morning. Thank you. My mother in law is living with us now and we do feel blessed to be able to have her with us and to be able to love on her and care for her; but at times it is difficult for all of us.
Wow! Did I need this devotional today! I struggle with inadequacy and lack of confidence due to past failures and life circumstances! I know God desires for me to grow in this area. The devil wants me to think I am unworthy and tries to create such mind sets but, in Christ I have freedom from condemnation and I am being made whole! I appreciate your transparency in sharing! It reminds me that it is not just I that has these struggles but, they are real for many others. I could so relate to your real life scenario with your husband and kids. Been there done that. I would love to have a copy of your book!
This really hit home with me today! It seems like every Sunday when my husband & I are getting ready
for church, something little happens to set either one of us off. Then, we get in the car & argue all the way
to church with nothing resolved.
We walk into church & put on our game face like everything is right with the world, smiling & hugging people
we know, still steaming mad at our spouse. The praise & worship starts & while you are singing, you feel
the guilt rising up & you feel like such a hypocrite.
You would think being Christians for so many years we would see a pattern here & pray the night before
to avoid all of this guilt.
I have been dealing this very issue–just this week! I am so THANKFUL to you for your timely message!!
Bless YOU!
Graciela
Thank you :O)
Ran upon this by faith today. Currently going through a battle – a battle that I don’t necessary want to battle but with God’s grace I will overcome this battle. Please enter me in today’s drawing for the Confident Heart Devotional Book – it will not set on a shelf – it will be used daily. Thanks again for your uplifting words of encouragement.
I would love to have A Confident Heart Devotional:):):)
Even when we fail by our standards His grace is always there. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! I really needed this today. The Grace that I’ve been shown has not exactly been flowing from my lips and life lately. Subsequently, the guilt sets in and Satan has been hitting me hard…to the point of damaging relationships. Thank you for the reminder that God takes my face in His hands and lovingly convicts me of the things I need to change….through Him and only because of Him. I would LOVE to receive your devotional book. Thank you for your ministry and encouragement!