Welcome Encouragement for Today friends! I’m so glad you stopped by. You can enter today’s drawing at the bottom of this post. And if you’d like to hear about upcoming giveaways or more confessions from an imperfect woman in desperate need of grace,
be sure to SIGN UP for EMAIL UPDATES in my sidebar –>
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.
If 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!}
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Wow! This is exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Distinguishing between condemnation and conviction is key to living a joyful and grace-filled Christian life, I think. Thanks for your post. This is my first time here, but I’ll be back. 🙂
How often have I fallen short and allowed my internal voice to beat me up over it & then probably miss God’s blessing? Thank you Renee for this reminder- we aren’t perfect & yet God can use our imperfections to reach others- that we are right there with them. Instead of being on a stage or pedestal you become one of the girls sitting & having coffee- someone they can relate to because they’ve been there too. Sometimes I strive so hard to be perfect that I miss the point- I so needed this reminder. Thank you for sharing.
Ive struggled with self condemnation for years. Reading about your struggles with your own shortcomings helps me to know Im not alone. Thank you.
Wow – that really resonated with me today. I have a 15 year old special needs daughter who is full of joy outside of my house and I can see God’s work in her when I see her interact with others. At home however, she is a four year old with the hormones and defiance you might expect from a normal teenager. I am not always graceful when I respond to negative behaviors and that always comes with guilt when I loose it. I like the definition of conviction verses condemnation – God continues to give me grace and mercy every day.
Wonderful reminder that those teaching and those being taught are not that different. May we always share the same mercy and grace for others that our Savior shows each of us!
This was Perfect timing.
I love the explanation between conviction and condemnation. It is so easy to put ourselves down but not to realize that it is not what God wants to do. Thank you for sharing today. I really liked your message.
I have just signed up to go on my first missions trip ever at 65 and I am so relying on HIS grace to be with and use me for HIS perfect will in Honduras. I know I am inadequate but that his strength will sustain me in each situation. Yes, I have doubts, but TRUSTing in Him will give me the confidence I need. Now if I can just do it?
First timer here. Thank you for being transparent, because your struggles are also mine. Though not in the ministry, I hope to minister to those I’m in contact with on a daily basis.
I have recently purchased your book and would love the devotion to go along with it. As a mom, working full-time in the local church I constantly feel the pain of not being good enough and insecurity runs deep. So looking forward to getting into your book!
Thank You for such an inspiring message. Everyday I realize Again that I’m only human and I am a child of God!
Self-condemnation is something I have lived with for years since the death of my son. Unfortunately, my other two children have had to live with this as well. I have learned through staying in His word that His graciousness is our salvation. All of the heavy burdens and guilt, He takes from us and reconstructs us daily. P31 is a part of my daily devotions and this one spoke volumes to my heart this morning. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Renee, this was amazing. Blanket statements are easy to make because it’s easier to color over someone with a broad stroke than to get to know all of someone’s true colors. God never created us to be one dimensional and doesn’t deal with us in a “all or nothing” way. I’m thankful for this reminder and that the Spirit does not condemn, but rather convict with love and guidance. Amen!
sometimes i feel like giving up but i know i can’t i pray every day, i know i can’t do this on my own i need his help.
I can so relate, and so appreciate your honesty in your book “A Confident Heart.”
For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. None of us is perfect..
Great message! I’m a pro about feeling guilty, dwelling on it and bringing myself down. My word this year is “trust”. Learning to believe God and to trust Him. It’s hard! As I am trying to change, Satan is doing his best to keep me feeling guilty. Thanks Renae for this message!
This is my very 1st time on your page. Thank you for being obedient and ‘putting things out there’. I believe we all have those moments of guilt and shame (I know I sure have!)… but the more we know ‘who’s’ we are.. the quicker those thoughts (and yes.. that’s all they are.. stupid, unfounded thoughts!) are replaced with HIS grace and mercy.
Thank you for being ‘real’. I am looking forward to browsing the rest of your site and keeping plugged in.
May God continue to bless you and your family.. as you step, know that HE is the light unto your feet.
Sometimes I feel like such a failure, that I promise God to do better then I stumble and fall again. I am so thankful for His grace and mercy. I always feel like I’m the only one that continuously fails him, obviously I am not. I’m so blessed to have friends to pray for me and continue to believe in me.
Its amazing how God speaks to me every single day through psalm 31 ministries. every single day i battle with self doubt and fear. i am surrounded by highly intelligent people (siblings, work colleagues, etc ) and then there’s me..always been called slow and never seem to be able achieve anything. this made me feel like i’m the victim of some sick joke. for as long as i can remember, i have felt worthless and unworthy and have made a lot of wrong choices based on these feelings. I am usually defensive and snap easily at people, and then i feel so guilty for doing so, etc. Its a battle but i know God is in control and wont give up.
God bless!!
Thank you so much for sharing your very human normal experiences! The words of grace spoken to you are powerful for me to hear!