Silencing the Guilt Monster

I have a small devotional book that my church passes out each month. For the women it's called Journey and I can't tell you how many times the morning devotional has hit home with me at a particular time in my life. I know, it's called God's perfect timing.

This particular devotional set off a whole wave of emotions and reminded me as the Nester reminds us on her blog, IDHTBPTBB!

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"Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really are free" (John 8:36).

"Kim sighed as she trudged upstairs toward bed. Her mind was still surveying undone tasks. She had also failed to have her quiet time that morning, so she needed to take care of that before trying to sleep.

Slipping away to the bedroom with her Bible and prayer journal, she settled in with her prayer list. She skimmed a few Bible verses and tried to remember some of the urgent needs that had come in from e-mails and Facebook. She didn't have anything insightful to record in her journal tonight.

Calling, "Good night, hon!" to her TV-watching hubby, Kim mentally recited her failures for the day. I didn't exercise. I certainly shouldn't have eaten that cake. I was probably too harsh with my sister. I'm behind on laundry and the house needs some heavy cleaning. I haven't mailed that get-well card or RSVP'd to the wedding invitation. What a disorganized, unproductive mess I am!

Suddenly Kim's guilty thoughts were invaded by the One who knew her best, the One who knew her heart and her flesh would fail, but He would be her strength and portion forever (Psalm 73:26). He was not pointing a finger and reminding her of her failures. He was crowning her with "faithful love and compassion" (Psalm 103:4). She thanked her Father and closed her eyes.

Christian psychologist and author James Dobson has said one of the things he loves most about women is that they try so hard. That is certainly true for most of us. Yet we tend to be very hard on ourselves, and many women are guilt sponges. We believe we never do enough and we never get it right. The Enemy attacks us at this place of weakness. We must recognize our accuser and reject his lies. Jesus reminds us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light and we can find rest in Him (Matthew 11:29-30)."

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I find that I am so guilty of these same self-condeming thoughts. And yet He so gracefully and graciously reminds me that He doesn't make junk. What he does is perfect and His plan is perfect. So on the days I let that guilt monster creep in due to my weaknesses, I am reminded that His love is perfect and that my life, and world around me, is perfect not because of beautiful "things" but because of His saving grace.

Blessings,

Lisa