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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Cramping your time will cramp your attitude and abilities. Your Best Yes needs to be your Best Yes. Prayer goes both ways talking and listening. Sometimes this is so easy to preach yet so veryyyyyy hard to live! Father we need you daily!
I am in a phase right now in that I am in complete burnout in all aspects of my life. This time in my life has really brought me to my knees in pouring out to the Lord. It has been a very special and sweet time with God in Him showing how much He loves me and also His grace and mercy on me. Thank you Proverbs 31 ministries for your daily blog because it is truly ministering to me and what I am going through during this time in my life.
As a teacher there were more and more demands that had absolutely nothing to do with student learning.
I had to turn to God each morning to help me through the day and to stay focused on what was truly important.
This devotional came right on time for me, as so many do! I’ve started a new ministry at our church. It has taken all my skills, and then some. God worked on me for two years, before I said yes. I cleared my schedule to give this the best possible chance to succeed. It has turned out better than I had hoped for, as God always does with my prayers, but not without some discouraging thoughts and circumstances. I’m going to use Renee’s list of truths for this situation, and even others in my past, so I can totally let go of the guilt. I hate the guilt and how it sneaks up on me!
Wow, what an “aha” moment! As I was reading this, my eyes were suddenly opened. Thank you for this! I needed to read this so much!!
I read the devotionals on the biblegateway most every morning before giong into work. Yesterday was a day that left me feeling less than all day. It was not the first , I feel that way quite often. When I read this mornings devotional, I knew instantly it was Abba’s heart speaking to mine and helped me see yesterday through His perspective. The scripture Renee used in the devotional, I printed it out and hung it on my locker as soon as I got to work. It will likely hang there for some time, I need to be reminded of that truth as often as possible.
Thank you for your answer to His call to share your life with Him as you do.
Angie Cramer
While it may not seem as a most critical issue, this verse made me think about playing golf. I love the game but feelings of inadequacies often rear their ugly head. There are so many occasions during a round when one can either acknowledge the evil forces working against us or put the game in perspective and acknowledge that you have a loving God…forever!
I loved reading today’s devotion. Such a great reminder that Satan is always on the prowl and we so often forget that.
straight to the heart of a current friendship issue…..often people are disappointed by our ability to be what they need us to be and this was such a great reminder that I MUST filter others comments through the lens of God’s Truth before I let it pierce my heart. Fantastic Devotional….thank you!!!!!!!
Touched my heart in just the right spot. I needed the reminder that Satan is the discourager, God is the encourager. Now….to listen for God’s voice.
We are currently in a “pause”… Our family is trying to decide if a move is in our future. God clearly brought us to where we are now and we’ve only been here for 10 months. Neither my husband nor I feel we’ve finished what God brought us here to do, yet we’re being led away (not sure if by God or not… still seeking God’s wisdom concerning that). So, we’re diving into the Word, meditating on It and waiting for revelation to encourage our faith and guide us to the “Best Yes”. 🙂 The waiting was exciting at first, but now after a couple months, I find myself feeling worried not knowing what’s next for us. I’m encouraged by today’s devotional. It was a good reminder that even though I feel like we’re “paused”, God is not!
It’s a daily battle right now and I could use everyone’s prayers
Right now my best has not been enough for my family, my work or my friends. I have mislaid priorities an become engulfed by my to do list. I have lost the calming voice of God in the storm. I loved your list for breaking down the truths of what happened, the circumstances and the spiritual truths. Thank you for that. Well timed.
Yes, I do feel like I can never do enough sometimes or that my best was not good enough. I never thought of it as being a scheme of the devil, however. I have found myself analyzing my rejected contribution only to come to the conclusion that what I offered was all that I could give as if giving unto The Lord. I then pray for the person who demands more to find their contentment in Christ Jesus and rest in complete joy found only in him.
This is so what I needed to hear, thank you for the reminder that my best is good enough. Especially if my motives are right and my heart is clear, all I can do is my best and let God be God to do what I can not do. So that He can receive the praise, honor and glory.
I always love reading your devotionals Renee. I’m SO self critical and see a failed attempt or mistakes as another indication that I just don’t measure up. I’m still a work in progress and God patiently is molding me for His glory. Bless you Renee, in your ministry!
I have just begun getting these devotionals and doing the online bible study. Both are a blessing to me. I feel guilty and less than if I say no. I now realize the way I am living is not the life my Father intended for me. Thank you and God bless you and this ministry.
This kind of hit home with me today 🙁 I certainly feel like I have dropped the ball lately and I know exactly what the personal problem is that has consumed my life the past few months, but not many other people know.
This year has been the roughest season of my life. I am doing all I can to survive and push on through the chaos, and sometimes I buckle under the weight of all that is going on. I have a dear friend that, though she has the best of intentions, has a way of pointing out the mistakes I am making in the process. I needed the reminder today that my circumstantial truths mean that just for now, it is ok that I stumble and fall more than usual. Thank you for the reminder! I desperately needed it!
This devotional email really hit home. I have been there too, and so thankful for God’s grace and love. I fall short most days but I try to give my best at all times, but some days we can’t help but let others down. I needed this gentle reminder that my best is good enough. Thank you for always being so transparent and real with us.
Blessings,
Cindy