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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

No More Guilt-induced Doubt

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MyGraceIsSufficient

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. 

Swope_ConfHeartDevo_3DsmIf my P31 devotion or blog post resonated with you today, I hope you’ll ENTER TO WIN a copy of my new Confident Heart Devotional. I truly believe the stories and truths in it will change your life {like they have mine}!  

 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! 

Expanding on what readers of my first book LOVED most: “When I say … God says …” statements, I’ve written 60 new devotions and new {WISGS} statements to equip you with a new a thought map and a promise – to live in every day! 

ENTER TO WIN (This giveaway has ended, but I’d still love to hear from you!)

: Click “Share Your Thoughts” below and do just that to enter to win one of three copies of my devotional book, and a $15 P31 Online Store gift certificate today!

****If you are reading this via email, click here to return to my blog and be part of the giveaway. {Your comment mus be left below this post to enter. Thanks!}

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Comments

  1. I laughed when I read your P31 devotional on 4/2. It’s refreshing to hear someone else’s shortcomings. Thanks for the transparency. We need more of that in the Christian circles. No one is perfect!

  3. God always knows! This was just the inspiration I needed this morning. Thank you.

  4. Thank you for your post today! Sometimes I struggle with feeling condemned by my actions. Who doesn’t, sometimes, right? I love your devotionals on Proverbs 31. That’s what lead me here. Thank you for your honest stories. I can relate and I feel like I am not alone, reading your blog today and the comments of all these wonderful women. 🙂

  5. Wow! This is exactly what I needed to here. I have been in a vicious cycle of self-doubt and it is affecting all areas if my life. You’re message is timely and so very encouraging. Thank you.

  7. Any article/story that has the word guilt in has my full attention. I am permanently riddled with guilt. From what I have done to what I am currently doing and to what I should be doing, I have always got the heavy collar of guilt around my neck.
    I don’t know why, well I can guess it’s from my past huge sinful ways which I have prayed for forgiveness and accepted that God has forgiven but yet I am still burdened with guilt. Every day I look at myself and wonder how God still stands by me.
    I am old enough to learn from my mistakes but when if ever will I be bold and old enough to shake off the “guilt”
    This book sounds like it has a lot of advice and help and I would love to read and share it
    Thank you for the wonderful women’s ministries I receive they somehow all seem to hit the nail on the head for me
    Regards Aneesa

  9. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. How refreshing this is to me. We don’t have to be perfect, and that feels great. We are all a work in progress.

  10. Thank you for that message. There have been many “bad mother/wife/woman” moments in my life. Even though I know God has forgiven me, I still have doubts about the long term effects especially on my daughters. I needed this message. I need to trust God is sovereign and my mess ups are insignificant in light of his omniscient plan,

  11. Sis. Swope, thanks for blessing my soul this morning with your devotional, No more guilt-induced doubt. It clarified the difference between conviction and condemnation, gave vivid examples of each, and instructed me on how to make wrong right. I would love to own a personal copy of your 60 day A Confident Heart devotional book! I am striving daily to work on me so that I can earn my way into heaven’s gates. I feel your book would be an essential tool that I could use to better myself and strengthen my walk with God…and once I’ve completed the 60 days, I can bless another sister along the way just as you’ve blessed me by allowing her to read the book! IT’S ALL ABOUT KINGDOM BUILDING!!!!

    Your Sister in Christ,
    Patricia J. Greenwood

  14. Thank you so much for the devotional. I have struggled all my life with guilt for doing or saying the wrong thing. I have a hard time accepting that God loves and forgives me inspite of my sin. Thank you for helping me to fight those thoughts and feelings in a righteous way.

  15. I’m my own worst enemy when it comes to this! Your devotional today is so timely for me, because I feel like I mess up this way often with my kids, my mom, and sometimes my husband. This brought to mind Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus ”
    I condemn myself all the time. Thank you for reminding me of the Lord’s all sufficient grace.

  16. Thank you. Sometimes I need to be reminded. Thank you for doing that in such a way I heard the Lord smile.

  18. Sometimes I feel I am so far away from God. I feel like I am the worst Mother and wife, and such a bad example of a Christian. Then I read your devotional and realize that we all fall short. Your studies help me to focus on Gods truth and get back on track!

  19. I am always amazed at God’s timing and today was no different.I needed those reminders. I needed those reminders today after last few days. Thank you Renee and her team. Thank you God for perfect timing as always.