Have you ever gotten that awful pit-in-your-stomach feeling after finding out you let someone down?
It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me as I read through an email from a client, sent to my manager and forwarded to me, describing how I had let some details fall through the cracks on a project.
A horrible sense of discouragement and embarrassment moved in for the kill.
In the past, I would have welcomed my uninvited critical thoughts to stay a while, resigned to the fact that I must be unable to do anything right!
But not this time; too many hurtful experiences had taught me to recognize failure as an opportune time for my opponent, the devil, to devour me with feelings of inadequacy and shame. This enemy is bent on making me believe that when my best isn’t good enough, I’m not good enough.
Fortunately, times of pain have also included hours of poring over God’s promises, gathering wisdom to deal with this unwelcome intruder. I have learned to be alert to the devil’s schemes and ready to stand against them. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, Peter tells us how:
“Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
After reading the email and letting my thoughts run wild for a few minutes, I knew I had to clear my mind. I asked the Holy Spirit to help me un-clutter my thoughts with the clarity of truth from logistical, circumstantial and spiritual points of view….
Read the rest of this story and what happened in my Encouragement for Today on the Proverbs 31 Ministries blog. But BEFORE YOU go…
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Last winter I went through a 6 month physical, mental, emotional and at times spiritual time. I lost nearly 30 pounds (not on purpose) and was constantly falling apart anywhere and everywhere. It was made worse by getting anxiety all the time and had many panic attacks. I finally decided to make a “note ” to myself and continue to add to it regularly. The note is called “Words to live by” which consists of many scriptures and inspirational sayings. I was often wondering, why is this happening to me? I was constantly down on my ability to be a wife, mother, daughter and daughter in law and a friend to others who also needed a friend because I was such a mess but then I would constantly read my note and add to it and it would give me more peace and even use my situation to be more understanding of others. Devotions like yours are a great help, thank you.
I loved your devotion today. It was what I really needed to hear. I try so hard to please my husband but no matter what I do it’s wrong. I know that without God I will never please him. He is a good man but I am a failure as a wife as he said. I know through prayer and faith it will get better. My faith keeps me strong and I know God will get us through this. .
This is one website I don’t mind hanging around longer than I should. lol God’s word NEVER comes back void, and I need it every hour! A mother of 5 and a very busy husband can make for a bit of stress and “whoa is me” attitude. But God knows what time of day it is, and your devotions help me keep my mind and heart focused on ‘His will and not my own”. God bless you! Diana:)
Thank you for reminding me that I am not the only one who feels they never reach the standards they set for me. I am a pastor’s wife and I know I set the standards to high for myself. Thank you for reminding me that God just wants me to be who He made me.
I know if I have failed someone else or just failed in all aspects of my life . “I will fall
(Righteous) seven times, they rise again”(proverbs 24:16) I need to keep my eyes fixed on God. As it says in Romans 8:28 ” I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. ” I feel that it’s so reassuring for our confidence in life that “God is always with us. ” Thank you, Renee Swope for your 7 day Doubt Diet devotional it has truly given me the tools to help my walk with Christ in all areas of my life.
This was so timely for me, although I found it a week later than it was posted. Just two days ago I fought this same battle – leaving work feeling like I’d failed AGAIN and so, of course, I was a failure. In this case, I wasn’t even entirely sure what I’d done wrong, because i’d been told, “We’ll talk about it another time.” On my ride home I battled my thoughts with God’s truth. I KNOW I am loved, forgiven, precious to Him. As one of my current favorite songs states, “He knows my name”!! I know those truths. But I forget, and I let Satan have his way with me. This devotion not only reminded me to fight that battle, but gave me the ammunition to not only wage that war, but win it. Praise God!!
I’m a registered nurse who caught a medication error that I made before I gave it to my patient. Even though no harm occurred, I have been tormented by this mistake. I needed to hear this. Thanks for sharing this devotion.
One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I wasn’t enough, and that ultimately led my husband to move out and “seek happiness” 2 years ago. Our divorce will be final this month, after 29 years of marriage and two daughters. I wasn’t pretty enough, thin enough, open minded enough, flexible enough, didn’t make enough money… the list goes on and on. It is a daily battle now to give all of that to God, and know God’s truths that indeed I am enough for Him, and that’s all that counts.
I tell myself that trying to meet everyone’s expectations in everything I do in a day means I’m taking away the focus on meeting God’s expectations. If I could meet one person’s expectations, I’m in a better place at the end of the day if I’ve focused on God’s purpose for my life. I can so easily be down on myself at the end of the day for not doing enough in other people’s eyes.
I loved this devotional…speaks right to my heart.
I sure did need to read this today. It seems no matter how hard I try to do something it is never good enough. So I give up and say what’s the use. I need to pray more that God will give me the wisdom to discern what is truth and the lies of the devil. I need to commit I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I need to do things to please Him and not men.
Thank you for this. I have recently experienced this and this devotional was so relevant. God has been teaching me to trust His truths over my feelings. It is His promises that keep me going. Thank you again.
Thank you for this devotional. It was perfect timing as alway. I felt it was written just for me but see how I am not alone. We need to know we are good enough and not believe the lies.
The devil loves to remind me how “awful” a person I really am. I have a situation in my life that reminds me how much I need God’s grace and I need to remember that is all I need. It is a struggle because this situation is a consequence of my sinful nature. I am going on faith that it is not what defines me but God’s grace is. Thank you-Jennifer
I have felt like I have never been good enough from a very young age- I am now 48. it is something I am trying hard to work on- I know I am good enough for God, but the devil sure tries to derail me.
I am definitely a people pleaser and I find it really hard to say no to anyone- another thing I am working on as I have spread myself too thin and I also have health issues that have hit me hard since the beginning of the year. I need to learn to say no sometimes so I can say yes to myself and family more often. Stress obviously makes my health issues worse, so I have to learn to say no. One day at a time.
I know this feeling well. Feeling like one is never good enough. Praise God He is teaching me to think like He thinks which goes something like this most of the time, “That is a lie from the enemy. If you are misunderstood, so what. I was misunderstood and it is okay.” I praise God for His constant teaching and training me to be and think more and more like Him.
I was really moved and touched by this. As God teaches us to be encouraged through Him is the best I could gather!
I am on my fourth marriage and really, truly thought I had finally found my prince. I thought everything was good – we have some problems but mostly I chose to overlook them as he is a good man – not a good husband – but a good man. Five months ago he blindsided me with the fact that he wants me out, immediately if not sooner, he just wants to work and kill zombies on his computers. I am 61 yrs old, can’t work and he is my sole support. I’ve begged, cried, pleaded, bargained, done everything I can with him and God. I don’t want to leave. I’m scared to my bones. I will have to leave my two little furbabies behind as he won’t pay the extra $100 it would cost for me for rent to have them. I am falling apart and it is only through the Christian love and encouragement from some new fb friends that are helping me and my strong faith in God. I’ve been crying for five months now – when do the tears dry up?
This was so helpful! I could say so much, but I will narrow it down to the point that motivates me most. Being in management I am big on accountability. Unfortunately, being a perfectionist as well, I often find myself wallowing in self-pity when I am in the hot seat of being held accountable for my own mistakes. In order to get the heat off of me I often resort to “blaming” rather than “claiming”. I love the 3 steps, but most of all the first step because it challenges me to look at what I’m being held accountable for “logically.” This is pure, raw truth void of my opinion, excuses, and emotions. Approaching it logically first, will help me to be able to proceed to the next two steps with a better perspective considering the feelings and perspective of all parties involved and not just my own. Thank you for this! I’m going to make a template of the steps and follow this process whenever applicable in my life moving forward. My life is forever changed. Thank you again!
I am very much a people pleaser. So, I inevitably, end up letting someone down somewhere along the way. The devil does a bang up job convincing me of how big of a failure I truly am. Letting me believe that my best just isn’t cutting it. I want more, Lord. I want so much more!