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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!
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!
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Tara Brittany says
I’ve been there so many times, thinking there’s no way I can be a good woman of God because I struggle with anger, jealousy, addiction, etc. Thank you for the reminder that that’s why we NEED the Savior. God bless you.
Patty says
Wow, you have no idea how timely this is. If I hit a season in my life where it seems that condemnation is finding me from every angle- within my mind, from the mouths of strangers, even my husband ….. It’s torturous. And hard to find the soft voice if God and the Holy Spirit among all the noise. Thank you for your post! You have no idea how helpful it is! In His love, Patty
Amy says
Thanks for sharing especially the differences between condemnation & conviction.
Delayna D. says
I was just talking about this on Monday night with my best friend. She is doubting if she is still a Christian and even questioning if God can use others including me because we have not yet overcome every issue in our lives. But I tell myself that regardless of her questioning or my own doubts, God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness…and I keep going!!
Nancy Cooper says
My middle daughter could really use a confidence booster. Sixteen, new school, new living arrangements, not many friends, family health issues–that’s a lot to deal with. And those poor middle children–they’re always the last ones to get any attention.
Yvette says
Your devotional today was just what I needed. I suffer from self doubt all r he time. This week I was trying to help a friend and was not successful and rhe doubt set in and them I started to think wrong things about our friendship.
Please enter me in the sweepstakes as I could definitely use the help!
May GOD bless you all today!
catherine says
Wow, could I ever relate to your entry today! I sometimes share with God that He is using one of his weakest, sinful persons, who needs Him continuously, desperately. And because He chooses to use me, I am overwhelmed constantly by His great love! I certainly don’t deserve this love of HIS and am reminded of His grace, mercy, and love every time I get to breathe, live, and try to put others first. As a full time caregiver of my sister in the LORD, and mother of adult step and adopted children, who are not always receptive or even around, I am forever reminded that God is intentional in whom He chooses to serve. He chooses those who need Him the most! Otherwise, we could not possibly be sensitive to Him and to others’ needs! I am continually reminded when I mess up daily on many things, despite my best efforts NOT to mess up, that God loves me and everybody else unconditionally. WOW! That fact that He loves me every second and no matter what just comforts me so much! I just want to learn to love others the way He does. I know I cannot ever do that as well as He does, but I am encouraged to do all I can, the best I can for Him, no matter how much I mess up. I am learning to forgive myself as well as others. The enemy just wants to shovel guilt in our lives. But sisters, we just get the HOLY SPIRIT to blow that bad stuff right out and the LORD floods us with Living Water to refresh us all over again! Oh, how precious it is to share His love with all of you today! Praise the LORD now and forever!
shannon s rice says
We are usually quick to judge ourselves more harshly than we wrongly judge others….. Blessed to know God extends His grace!!
Felicia Guerrero says
Wow! Today’s “Encouragement for Today” resonates with me as I always feels like I am not doing the things I should be doing that would make God proud of me. I have had several days like “no more guilt-induced doubts” then I beat myself after its all done.
Jane says
I have felt God’s prompting to lead a women’s Bible study at our church but felt inadequate. Your post is the confirmation that it’s okay if I don’t know the scriptures end to end, but that I have a willing heart to serve. Thanks!
Jessica Repp says
Renee, what an amazing and soul filling blog today. Your writing is always amazing but of course as God would have it, this is exactly what I needed today. I am wrecked with guilt in areas of my life and this sheds a whole new light on God’s love and grace for me, for everyone. Thank you so much!! I’d love to work through the Confident Heart devotional.
Michelle B. says
Read your devotional from P31. Loved it! Definitely something I need to hear. Thank you! !
Sandy says
Your devotional was just what I needed to hear today. Thank you.
Marie says
This was what I needed to read today!
Donna says
I believe when we mess up and feel badly about it that’s just Gods way of letting us know we have hearts for him and only him.
He made us human. We fail, we succeed. We mess up, we make up.
If we are listening we hear his voice leading along the path we need to follow but there will be times when we take another path. One that looks better at the moment. That’s when his love and conviction step in and guide us back to his heart.
Thank God for a shepherd who loves his wayward sheep a bit more than the ones who never stray.
Ardis Rivera says
God has been showing me this very thing. For years I didn’t understand the difference. It is freeing to understand that when God brings conviction, it is for our good. Only Satan keeps bringing up the past sins that have already been forgiven. Only Satan tells us the lies that God can’t love us. God’s conviction proves His love for us. He loves us too much to let us continue down the wrong path.
Kathy Walker says
Sadly I do this more often than not, then I feel guilty for the rest of the day, and usually end up giving in when I shouldn’t.
JULI says
I LOVE IT WHEN A DEVOTION TOUCHES ON EXACTLY WHAT I AM FEELING. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF A CHIRSTIAN DAYCARE…SOMETIMES I FEEL I AM ROCKING IT AND OTHERS I FEEL WHAT WAS GOD THINKING TO PUT ME IN CHARGE…..THATS WHEN I KNOW SATAN IS AROUND. I AM EXACTLY DOING WHAT GOD WANTS ME TOO. THANKS FOR THE REMINDER!
Pauline says
Thank you for this morning’s devotional. I start each morning enjoying Encouragement for Today and am inspired by the words each of you ladies share. Please enter me in the book draw.
Janell Sponburgh says
This is very good to realize that you don’t have to feel guilty when you know you do wrong but to do what needs to be done to make it right. When you know better, you can do better!!!
Marlenne Noriega says
I’m actually still struggling between knowing the difference between God’s voice and my own guilt voice…I grew up in a Catholic home and since I was very young I always heard “be good or God will punish you” I didn’t grow up with an image of a loving Father desiring a relationship with me. When I realized who God really is I felt cheated and manipulated bc I spent so many years doing what’s right out of fear or doing wrong feeling miserable afterwards and never really knowing what grace was…I was never good enough, just ok thinking Illescas be lucky to go to heaven…sadly, many ppl still live this way and it is heartbreaking. ..I struggle still like I said but I’m getting better at forgiving myself and running to God instead of hiding in shame when I do wrong.
Emily Murray says
This post was very enlightening to me. I guess I never really realized or understood the difference between condemnation and conviction. I have been letting condemnation drag me down and my guilt destroy me. I will be praying for the discernment to listen for God’s voice and his directions on how to turn the situation around and live with confidence!
Jennifer Richards says
I love the scripture with this , His grace is always sufficient!! He is a loving and sovereign God. The second part is so powerful, in our weakness he is made perfect!! There are days that I repeat this over and over as a reminder that I don’t have to be perfect ; I am loved and accepted as is and further than that God redeems my imperfections for his glory!!
Jenn says
thank you… i needed this message today.
Vikki Le says
I love you devotion on Proverbs 31 today. Regardless of how many times we mess up, God’s mercy remains and His grace is greater still. He always turns our mess into something beautiful.
Kristen says
This resonated with me so much today and I am so grateful. After a failed marriage, dealing with ailing parents and three children I feel like I’m doing it all wrong. I think God must be disappointed in me. This reminded me today that I am worthy of his grace, AND I need to pay that grace forward with my friends, family and college students I teach.
I appreciate your uplifting words that spoke directly to ME today!
loraine says
I sure appreciated the definitions for condemnation vs conviction this morning. I definitely see myself on the condemnation side of things! Thanks Renee.
Angel Griffin says
So many of your daily devotions touch my heart. It always amazes me how God uses others to say exactly what I need to hear at that exact moment. Knowing that others have experienced the same things I have is such a blessing as I realize it really is alright and that God REALLY does have it all under control and that I am never alone as he is with me always just as he is with others. Thank you so much for your honesty and wisdom.
Nancy says
I was so encouraged by your message and would love to read the rest of the story in your devotional.
I am a 67 year young woman who has two grown sons who are men of God.
For the past two years I have retired and live with my youngest son, his wife, and two teen aged grandsons.
Grace and gratitude are necessary to be living this life, thank you for reminding me of this.
Sheri says
I loved your P31 message today as well as this one. I really needed a “reminder” of this today. I’m so hard on myself. I need to remind myself often to fail forward, give myself a break, and go forward in grace! I read Confident Heart. It was amazingly helpful to me. I’m sure the devotional will be just as good!
Kim Brooke says
I needed to hear that God’s grace is sufficient for me today. Thank you for speaking words of truth today.
Vicki Hampton says
I loved this devotion & I have enjoyed your books so much. I would love to have this devotional. Your words hit my heart always! God is great..!!
Pamela says
Thank you so much for your honesty. I try to teach my child about grace but rarely if ever give it to myself. The reminders of the difference between condemnation and conviction were l timed. God is using you to touch so many people as evidenced by all of the comments.Continue to walk in God’s grace.
Christine Torres says
I am so glad to have stopped by your site this morning. I was in a rush trying to get my devotional done so I could hurry and get the kids out the door on time. Of course, with love and care. I wanted to share that The Lord is so amazing and I am thankful to grow in these areas. I struggle with condemnation and hypocracy and guilt. I needed to read this at this very moment to actually grasp what I needed to to move forward in my walk with Christ. To be able to set these down at the feet of The Lord through His grace… just, is a beautiful gift. Thank you.
Laura says
I sometimes lose my patience and not respond to things in a peaceful way, even when I intend to. Thank you for reaffirming that the enemy will condemn me, but the Spirit will lovingly convict me to change my behavior, attitude, etc. What a blessing!
God bless!
Angela says
So needed this today!!!
Nikki O says
I feel very alone right now. I am a mother, wife, and I work a full time job. My husband lost his job almost a year ago. unemployment was cut in dec 2013. we are struggling financially and I am very stressed. I try to think for better or for worse, I try to think, God has a plan. I just got licensed as a professional counselor and am trying to get things going in my career. But I am so stressed and overwhelmed and think how can I help others when I myself am so stressed, hurt, broken, overwhelmed and just fed up!!! My mind is filled with worry on a daily basis. And I know that God does not want that but I cant help it. this was an inspiration to read but I still cant get rid of the doubt, fear, worry, not when mortgage, car note and other bills are behind. we have four children and I try to set an example for them. But I have but so much to give.
Jessica Jacques says
What’ a great reminder today! Would love to win this devotional!
Yesenia Ramirez says
I love the explanation of the two differences. Now I am sure I’ve recently heard from the Holy Spirit.
Nicole says
I needed today’s devotion. I am currently in school following what I believe to be God’s leading, but it seems as if I’m being crushed by this new responsibility along with all of the other factors that are in my life. I am so quick to doubt that what God has shone me can’t be for me. I understood exactly how you felt, because I often wonder if I’m able to be the wife, mother, daughter, christian, professional, ministry leader, etc. that God has called me to be. I’m barely holding on. Thank you for today. I needed to remember that it’s not through my strength and through my perfection but through His. He doesn’t need me to be perfect for Him to be able to use me for His glory. Thanks for the great reminder!
Barb Wall says
Renee–I so much need your devotional. I believe it would help me put me crazy life in some sort of order and put it all in our Dear Lord ‘s hands!! Thank you and God Bless–Barb
Marsha says
I am in a study of Fierce Women by Kimberly Wagner and this excerpt went along with some of the thoughts we have been considering this week. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made but sometimes we ARE fearful and do not act so wonderfully. Our husbands feel the brunt of our reactions too often. Mine is the sweetest man in the entire world and I am trying to become the wife God intends for me to be. He is teaching me.
Sharon Grant says
Thanks for this message it was much needed. I’m encouraged just by reading this. I know God does use me in the midst of my mess.
Elizabeth L says
Thank you so much for your thoughtful words today. Guilt can be a daily struggle sometimes and it is nice to be reminded that God’s grace is always with me.
merry says
Wow! I don’t realize how much this devotion truly open my eyes,indeed! Thank you so much for such phenomenal encouragement that surely needed in the middle of storm season.!
Debbie says
Enter me to win.
Priscilla says
Thanks for sharing your word.
Debi Morris says
I am in ministry as well and many times feel so “not right” for this ministry, so hypocritical. Thank you for the devotion.
Donna R says
God has been speaking to me lately telling me to come to him with a confident spirit rather than weak and to CLAIM my place as His beloved child . . and I’m working on it!
Misstie Pollard says
I related to this post because I always want things to go my way. I have to constantly remind myself I don’t have control over many things and it does not pay to get upset. I pinch myself to stop the anger, repent, and ask for forgiveness.