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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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Based on honest struggles we all have with comparison, self-doubt, fear of failing, and the life-changing lessons God’s taught me and ten other women, {whose stories are in the book} you will discover how to change the way you feel by changing the way you think – which will transform the way you live!
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Thank you for your transparency and honesty. Having been a part of women’s ministry on various levels for many years, I know all too well what a trap that guilt and condemnation can set for us. Your message is a reminder once again that it really is all about receiving and giving grace!
Love your devotionals……hope I win!
Would love to win…thank you
I soooo needed this this morning!!! Can’t wait to share it! Thank you !
I really needed to read this.
Your devotion today was great. I know we all experience these things. We just need to take them to God first. This I don’t normally do. Thanks you.
I am so inspired and uplifted by the Proverbs 31 devotional each day.
You wrote this devotion just for me, right?! Just like the sermon my pastor always preaches just for me! Wow! It would be fantastic to have this book. God has begun showing me and speaking to me about the doubts I have about myself and how they are not from Him. Loved the explanation between condemnation and conviction. I could use 60 days of similar devotions!! I’m excited and hopeful to be free from guilt-infused doubt and full of grace-infused confidence!!
This resonates so clearly for me. In the past as a younger christian I’d always feel so harried trying to do all the right things, say all the right things, and be the right person….it was exhausting and moreover it wasn’t the real me. In recent years I’ve learned to let go and just be because it’s even harder to try to be this perfect woman I envision myself being “one day” with two kids and a youth and young adult pastor husband going back to school so he can become a deacon. (Did I mention that I also try to watch kids from my home to make ends meet? Yikes!) Sometimes, even when we know the truth, condemnation becomes so easy to listen to and accept. The voice of the Spirit is such a gentle voice and it *is* so specific to what we need in each moment. Thank you for this post.
Thank you for your devotional today! I have felt like that so many times with my children, my husband, and even my kids at school! Then, afterwards, I question whether or not I should be the one working with my kids at church. However, we are all human and are going to have those moments. Thankfully God is there to give us that grace and help us to see what happened and what should’ve happened. I would be nothing without Him! I praise Him for forgiveness and the opportunity to try again with those we love. He is so good!
As each devotion, this is exactly what I needed to hear today! So often I feel unworthy because I feel like I constantly fall usually by being quick tempered. Thank you!
I have never heard explained the difference between condemnation and conviction. How freeing to understand this!
I always love to hear that other women aren’t perfect either!
Thank you for sharing your heart; you are human just like us. God is so good and know the struggles we face. I am so thankful for your honesty .
Thanks for the chance to win, you are very inspiring!
sparkle & shine *~*
Thank you for being obedient to God and writing this book. I am thankful for your courage! God bless you!
His power is made perfect in our weakness! Thank you for that reminder this morning.
WOW…right between the eyes w some powerful truth. I have NEVER thought of it that way and condemnation is one of my biggest issues. Add mommy hormones and I am a mess in 10 seconds when I am 100% convinced that I am the worst screw up mom there is. I would so appreciate this devotional. Thanks for offering this and for sharing some awesome truths in this post!! 🙂
I am so grateful! I have that guilty feeling much more than I thought ; ( and that is the enemy…I wish I could see it as him and not me just being an awful Mom, Wife, or Daughter. Thank you so much for your humility and allowing your experiences for the good of God for us! My soul feels free this morning!
Thank you for your devotional today. Very encouraging for me.