It has been several weeks since I published a blog post. I did not plan to take a break of any sort, yet a break is exactly what took place. Between celebrating my oldest daughter’s birthday, two piano recitals, hosting a small family Thanksgiving gathering, and planning an epic graduation party to honor my husband… yep… you guessed it: blogging took a backseat.
The interesting thing is, I wrestled with thoughts and feelings of failure all the while! “What if I get too comfortable not writing? What if I lose my audience? What if it becomes too difficult to ‘get back at it’?”
Then I realized that those thoughts were not from the Lord. They were rooted in Christy’s tendency to not give herself grace, margin, a break, permission to detour, the freedom to say you will then realize you actually won’t and be good with it! The enemy knows I struggle in this area and every time there is an opportunity to tap into this part of my flesh, he has a field day.
The good news is my Heavenly Father knows I struggle here as well. And every time there is an opportunity to strengthen this part of my heart He too has a field day!
In Romans 8 Paul teaches that believers are not only free from bondage to sin, they are free from the inner emotions and thoughts that tend to bring feelings of condemnation when things don’t turn out the way we believe they should (Romans 8:2).
Christians who live in shame and guilt over past failures (perceived or actual) are needlessly condemning themselves when they ought to be “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13).
As 2019 comes to an end, many of us are reflecting and assessing. That’s fine and good. But… if this reflection leads to a pity party over goals not reached; or if this assessment only spells out the details of to-dos not done, that is NOT fine and good! Condemnation is NEVER productive. His grace is sufficient! Receive it.
Be it blog posts not published, job positions not applied for, relationships not mended, or calories not burned—forget it!
Instead, strain toward what is ahead: His will and perfect plan for your life and the grace and power to carry it out condemnation free!!
Life happens and sometimes we get behind in things we want to accomplish. I believe there are times when our “to do” list is put on hold because God has a message for us to share at a certain time. 🙂 Thank you for your encouraging message. Merry Christmas!