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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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Very happy to hear the negative thoughts in my head are not the Holy Spirit!
I was so encouraged today, because some of the same things cross my mind. Actually I can be at peace one moment with God and then things just go really crazy, usually this happens when I’ve been in prayer before going to work, then the moment I get to work all kinds of situations and attitudes come my way. Glory to God I recognize that I was doing the right thing by praying before going to work.
Thank you for the explanation and I thought it would be a great lesson for our ladies group to share in a devo. It was excellent for me to hear and good to pass along to my daughters when they tend to be critical of themselves. Deb Cary
I like your style of writing. It is a great encouragement to read your emails.
It’s so easy to accept the condemnation and think it’s from God as a reminder to not act that way again. But while His Spirit convicts us to repent and ask forgiveness, God’s grace and mercy covers us and is something we could never earn or lose.
My husband and I were just discussing the other evening about my “guilt “. He says if I have guilt than I don’t truly believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for my sins. I know that worry is a sin but I don’t think of guilt as a sin. My problem too is that things can be running smoothly and then one thing can set me off and then I get mad, and not always so kind and then feel guilty and even if I apologize I cannot forgive myself so how can God forgive me. Which I is where my husband says, God has already forgiven you, so you need to forgive yourself. Help!! I try, I pray, I read the bible but I just can’t seem to forgive Me.
Fear and Doubt is present in my life as I go through the toughest storms of my life ,but Ever day God is teaching me to trust him for the day and not worry about what is to come or the future but just day by day
Leading the Confident Heart Book Study for the 3rd time.
After three times you would think I should have it altogether.
Nope something else seems to rear it’s ugly head.
Praise God His mercies are new every morning, Great is His faithfulness.
Thank you Renee.
Such great words. Encouraging
doubt, worry, fear, anxiety and feelings of never being good enough overwhelm my mind and heart daily but I’m learning to take baby steps by repeating God’s promises and attempting to look at myself like God sees me…. A daughter of the king!! Thank you Renee for pouring your heart out but also for being open enough to share it with other ladies so we don’t feel so alone. God is good and He can take the broke and make them beautiful.
Yep, that’s me! I forget God’s mercy quite often and live in Guilt for awhile, even for a few days, then God knocks and sets my thinking right!
Martha
I battle with feelings of inadequacy. My failures cause me to doubt myself and yet, truth be known, when I share my doubts with other women they tell me it makes them trust me. As a leader in women’s ministries that is such a wonderful gift. Thank you for giving me confirmation today. Thank you for giving me a verse that I can hide in my heart at times of need!
You NAILED it! Again! This is so me…. I was asked to lead a Tuesday am Bible study…within 24 hours I reacted this same way to my husband and thought I had NO business leading this study if I acted like this! Your book has helped sooooo much. Have read it twice and have vowed to read it at least once a year! I began the devotional yesterday! I have sooooo many ladies in mind who would benefit from this devotional as a starting point! Thanks for sharing all your trials and lessons of faith!
Thank you for the reassurance I need that, even on my “worst” days, I still qualify for God’s grace and His unconditional love. In fact, it’s on those days that He most longs for me to come near and ask for His help.
Thanks so much for this truth! We ‘know’ the enemy is the accuser yet we keep ‘listening’ to critical, harsh words whispered in our ears. So thankful for Christ’s redemption & the way He speaks to us, encouraging us to watch His example & learn from Him. I’d love to have the devo – thanks for the offer!
This post hits too close to home. I really need to replace my guilt-induced doubt with His grace-infused confidence. I am going through a very stressful timer period right now. I find myself saying things I know are not what a “perfect” mom would say. I always ask for forgiveness. Lately, I feel like a failure. I could definitely use more confidence and need to trust the Lord more. I would love to be entered into the drawing – I know that I would benefit from reading your words and the scripture references you make. Thank you!
I LOVE your devotional book! I have it on Kindle and it blesses my mornings! Thanks for writing it!
Struggling with some nagging doubt today and your message is helping me realize what I need to do to turn it around. Thanks for your support!
I have been in a certain trial for almost 8 months. I find myself going to God in prayer trying to figure out what I’m doing wrong that He has not released me from this trial. I know better and I know it is the voice of the enemy telling me to pick every situation apart to see what I’ve done wrong and then repent. This ritual is tiring. I had just got off my knees in a frustrated prayer to God when I turned on the computer and read your post. I feel the release to let self accusation go and to stop allowing the enemy to accuse me. Thank you for sharing. Many blessing to you!
Thank you so much for your devotional! I find myself being ridding with guilt-induced doubt more often than I care to admit. I often become overwhelmed with negative thoughts, such as: I’m a terrible mom, wife, etc. We all need to be reminded that we are not perfect and God loves us still. I believe that it is these difficult moments that make my relationship with God stronger and help me to be the mom, wife, friend, and Christian that he wants me to be.