Can we have an honest conversation about guilt? Everywhere I go, women are wrestling with feeling guilty all.the.time. And I understand. It’s something I struggle with, too.
If you are familiar with the heavy weight of guilt, pull up a chair and lean in. I’ve invited my friend Ginger Hubbard to share with us some powerful truths she’s learning to hold onto – truths that point her back to God’s grace again again again. Truths she writes about in her book, “Guiltless Living.”
For so long in my life, I struggled with trying to be a good Christian.
Inevitably, I would blow it on a daily basis then proceed to beat myself up spiritually and emotionally.
In setting my standards high for being what I perceived the perfect wife and mom, I chose the woman described in Proverbs 31 as my role model. On one particular morning, I remember reading about her and making unfavorable comparisons.
She got up before it was still dark. I had rolled out of bed around 8:30 am.
She was well dressed in fine linen and purple. I was in a baggy, terrycloth robe with my hair pulled up in an orange chip clip.
She held the distaff while grasping the spindle with her fingers (not sure what those things are, but I am certain they contributed to her noble character). I held the dust buster to the crumbs on my bed sheets while grasping the empty bag of Doritos.
She provided good food for her family and was always on top of things. I offered a choice of Burger King or McDonalds and felt the weight of my unaccomplished to-do list crashing down on me.
In comparison, I did not measure up. I felt anxious, defeated and disappointed in myself.
I wanted to be the wife who was always cheerful, never irritable, and only said words that edified, encouraged and built up. I wanted to be the mom who never lost it and only spoke with kindness, wisdom and faithful instruction. But, as hard as I tried, I always wound up blowing it in some way.
I just could not achieve the “good Christian” status I desired.
Through prayer and studying God’s Word, I began to realize that no matter how hard I tried, I would never achieve being the perfect Christian. I learned that the battle of victorious Christian living could not be won by sheer willpower or by teeth-gritting determination, but by tucking myself underneath the full armor of God and trusting that God is not only fighting for me, but He has already won the battle.
In measuring our self-worth in accordance with our own performances, we not only become anxious, but we miss out on experiencing the peace and rest of who we truly are in Christ.
Our worth is not based on what we do or do not do. It is not based on our successes and failures. It is not even based on whether we sin a little or sin a lot.
Our worth is based solely on Christ and the atoning work He has done on our behalf. We are His children, purchased at a price, forgiven and fully redeemed.
Embracing this wonderful truth brings about freedom. It is the freedom to forget about ourselves and lay down our measuring rods of self-worth and ongoing scrutiny. It is the freedom to release the suffocating anxiety our weaknesses cause, and instead take hold of God’s grace given to us through the cross.
Join me today in letting go of performance-based worth and self-imposed expectations. May we purpose to rest in the victory Christ has already won and truly experience the rich and satisfying joy of guiltless living!
ENTER TO WIN {book giveaway}
Because Ginger has struggled so much with the issue of performance-based self-worth, she has a deep compassion for other struggling women. Se can relate and understand the mental, spiritual and physical exhaustion that comes from this way of living. If you are one of these women, Ginger’s deep desire that you will lay down your measuring rod of self-worth and stop beating yourself up so you can take hold of God’s grace and embrace guiltless living! Today, Ginger is giving away 3 copies of her new book, Guiltless Living!
Click “Share Your Thoughts” below this post to leave a comment and ENTER TO WIN.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thank you for sharing Renee! Not only do I struggle with a self worth spiritually but also physically with my eating. The comment about the dorittos made me laugh out loud! Thanks for starting off my day with a smile! 🙂
Yes it is a struggle, I don’t like to disappoint people, especially those close
Like you , over time I have lived feeling the frustration of not being the so called perfect Christian. I set my standard so high that it is impossible not to fail. But God is teaching me to take things one day at a time and do the next right thing. Great post and I am sure I would enjoy your book immensely. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this! In so many ways what you say is true. How I need God to forgive me and help me! And, I NEED TO LISTEN AND OBEY!
This is so me. I have come a long way though. But it still creeps up and the Lord reminds me of who I am in Him. And how secure I am in Him.
You don’t know how providential this post was today. After a night of tears and conversation about the exact topic and my extreme struggle with it, you were speaking to my heart. Thank you.
Oh that means so much Lauren! I worked on this post last night – God knew it would be just what you’d need :).
Ditto! Ditto! I thank God daily for His grace and mercy! And thanks Renee for this timely and encouraging post!
Wow, this devotional was so encouraging this morning. It is comforting to know that I am not alone in these struggles. I would love to read this book. Thank you so much!
This looks like a very interesting book, I would like to read it.
That’s me too. I am learning to let things go and let God. My battle now is when those thoughts and feelings creep back in and I think I have to struggle again. God and I are still working on me but I know that when I let go I have a better day all around and people around me are always walking on eggshells.
Right on point and always on time! Our Lord is so faithful.
I’m so excited to have received this email today! Last night at bible study a woman shared with her trying to be good. I can’t wait to share this with her! You are truly amaZing! Thank you so much for all you do!!!
God bless
Mindy
Thank you for your sweet joy-filled note Monday. God’s timing amazes me.
Love when He validates through posts like this! We were just talking about this at Women’s study last night….God knew I needed it again. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
God’s timing is so sweet – and perfect! Have a wonderful day friends!
This message was written for me!
Amen! Thank you, I needed this message today!
I’ve spent a lifetime trying to be perfect and failing. Finally, I am beginning to work on “me.” Certainly relieves a lot of stress when you relax and don’t think you have to be perfect all the time. Unfortunately, my failing health is what finally opened my eyes. The process has begun. Hope it doesn’t take another 60 years.
Praying for you Karen!
I struggle with this daily. I just want the peace of feeling enough. Oh’ how I need this book. Thanks for the devotional today!
So glad it encouraged you Elizabeth!
Thank you Lord that I have someone to run to when the lies of the enemy try to invade my mind. Thank you for calling me Daughter. Thank you for giving me a place to belong.
Amen!
Wow, ever so true. How is it I thought I was the only one.
Me too! There are at least 3 of us!
I love how ya’ll encourage one another. You’re the best!!
Thank you. Even if I do not win the book, which I would love to have and sincerely need, I have gain much just from your post. It is so good to know that others, like me do not measure up and that we fail daily. The fact that it is up to God rather than me is so good to hear repeated. When I fail, I feel so full of guild and I needed to be reminded. Thank you and God Bless.
I struggle with a lot of those same issues; but I do know Jesus loves me for who I am. As messed up as we can all be I trust and have complete faith in all Jesus does and will do for us.
Wow! Now, that’s the truth. Thank YOU, JESUS.