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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 Renee for sharing. I can so relate to what you have experienced. I have just come back from Tahiti to speak at two women’s retreats, and I must admit that a couple of times those thoughts came to my mind. But as you say we serve a loving wonderful and merciful God. The moment we come to Him humbly He is faithful and just to cleanse and forgive us of all our unrighteousness. Thank you for your encouraging words. I would love to receive you book, I will try my chances at winning it but if I do not, I will eventually buy it. May our great God continue to bless your ministry.
Cheers for now
Lyne
I love what you shared about grace and mercy when it comes to self-doubt. Thanks for being so open and genuine! Blessings!
Gosh I needed this!
Oh my! I’ve been there and done that. Friends and acquaintances sometimes think I’ve got it all together and am living the smooth Christ-Follower life. In reality, I’m living a life destined to be heavenly and trying staying in God’s shadow along the way but find myself saying, doing, or thinking something wrong everyday. I am grateful that I can ask for forgiveness, find grace and be an example of a woman who keeps trying.
I am excited to read this!!! I have ALWAYS struggled with guilt of poor choices I made in my past and unfortunately some in my present!!!
I have so been there! It gives me peace knowing that you too still struggle with the same everyday frustrations of a mommy, wife, and then some. I know that I am ok even though I am a work in progress. (Even when the progress regresses or slows to a hault in moments of frustration.). The Lord is always there with a heaping helping of grace and forgiveness when I need it. Thank you for your honesty.
So very timely. I have been struggling with this. Feeling like a failure as a mother and also dealing with insecurities. Thank you so much for this message! God is good! Would love to receive this book.
Yes, yes and yes.
You do not know how much I needed to hear this message today. I have been so frustrated lately and reading this showed me that God can use me even when I do make mistakes. It is hard, but God can get me through it. Thank you.
This blog brought tears to my eyes as I reflected on listening to the evil ones voice You are NOT worthy You could never do anything for God I came to the conclusion that God does love me and His voice is the one that whispers gently to me that I have faults and that’s okay as long as I am aware of them and willing to change them to become more Christ like I have allowed the enemy to paralyze me oh too long and I am ready for God to use me and I will battle satan Instead of being defeated I will be know that I am worthy of his great love Thank you for sharing this blog with us 🙂 !!
Praise God for the manner in which He speaks to us, my chatterbox fills me with such negative upbraiding so that the Spirit must work overtime to turn me around to where God wants me to be.
I am blessed to know that My God and Saviour loves me, died and rose for me and all.
The battle is within (self doubt, pity, confusion) but therein lies the victory through the spirit, filling my time with Gods word, songs, books and through the communication and fellowship of my sisters in Christ.
God is and I pray he continue to teach me that “that is enough! No fault is great enough to take away His Love. I need not be perfect because He is!
I would love to win a copy of your book.
I would really love this…I have such a hard time focusing and reading the word and these devotionals help to direct me to a good scripture and then eases me into reading the bible. Thanks!
This was a great message. None of us are perfect. So thankful for God’s grace and mercy! Thank you for sharing!!
I enjoyed the devotional for today, and since my morning started off kind of ruff I need this to encourage myself in the word. We are not perfect and we don’t always have it together and just when you think you are in there and have everything in order then the unexpected happens. I am so glad that God extends grace to us and his mercies are new every morning. I give God the praise for all that he has done and is about to do for us the words says to fear not, for I am wiht you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 He tells us that anxiety in a man heart weigts it down, but encouraging words makes it glad. Prov. 12:25 I thank God for and encourageing word from the Proverb 31 Encourgement for Today.
I am glad that God put in my path women that understand the frustration we tend to all have within ourselves. I have been tormenting myself over some major decisions and not taking that leap of faith, because instead of trusting God I am trying to trust myself and my judgement and that is not going to work, I need to work on letting go and letting God so it will ease up self condemnation.
I know I’m not perfect, but I continue to beat up on myself when I mess up and then realize that’s what God wants me to remember that I am human and I’m going to make mistakes.
I needed this today! Thank you for sharing…
What a great message- I have felt like that more than once.
Needed these words today. Hit very close to home. Thank you.