This week's topic in the Proverbs 31 Bible Study discusses the "F" word FAILURE. This word has been a struggle for me as long as I can remember. I can so easily think I am a failure. It may be from something as huge as back in the 90's when I dropped out of college my senior year or it could be from something as simple as forgetting to take out the trash. I can be really hard on myself. It is especially hard when I find myself overloaded. I am a perfectionist and want to do everything so perfect, but when there is too much going on it is impossible to give everything 100%. I beat myself up into thinking I am no good and then I start seeing every little area of my life where I could be failing, even though I am not.
This week I was just reminded that the condemnation we feel is not from God. Romans 8:1 says that he will never condemn us for our failures. That is HUGE! We may feel condemnation from ourselves, our family, or our friends, but God never will. If we feel like a failure He will lovingly convict us to change our behaviors or our decisions. I felt like I failed because I quit school and that caused me to feel stupid and useless. Thankfully He put the desire into me to go back to school. I had to fight the thoughts of failing, but I did it! He gave me the courage I needed to not only get my degree, but to worked toward an advanced degree. Again, I had thoughts of failing towards the end of the second degree, but I made it.
We have to be careful and distinguish between what is condemnation and what is conviction. Condemnation will make us feel guilty, but conviction will show us where we went wrong and what we can do to change it. I am always looking for a way to change for the better and have learned that it is important to have healthy relationships. There are those that can heap condemnation on us when we have failed or think we have failed and then there are those that can set us straight in a positive way. I am learning that he sends the right people into our lives when we least expect it.
Perfectly said hun. Excellent post and very well written.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, I dropped out too and finished when my youngest were 5 and 7. We used to do our homework together at the kitchen table. I like to think that we roll model for our kids when we fail forward. I think you have done an amazing job of that! :) Hugs to you too! Mary B - 44
ReplyDeleteI'm like you Tanya (name & all) I can certainly let myself think I'm a failure easily. I am learning through this study though to realize when I am doing that & stop it before it starts. I totally agree with you that God sends the right people in our lives when we least expect it! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing you made some really good points that hit home about condemnation and conviction.
ReplyDeleteSo love your blog. Just the words that I needed to be reminded of. You said it perfectly. Love it and so thankful for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies for taking the time to read my blog! I love being a part of this community. It is still hard to sometimes hear those convicting thoughts, but when we push through to what the Lord is trying to show us the results are amazing!
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