Grace over Guilt

Nothing is worse than laying in bed at the end of the night, and replaying the events of a rough day. I’ve had many nights where I laid down with my babies as they fell asleep (yes, I lay with them every night until they fall asleep), and tears filled my eyes as I thought about all the failures of the day. The times I lost my cool, the times I wasn’t paying attention to my kids because I was too busy, the things I meant to get done for my husband but never got around to… the list goes on and on.

Last week, I had a day that would’ve resulted in the self-wallowing that night. Mom guilt is real… but as I was giving my baby girl a bath, I felt a voice whisper to me, “My grace is bigger than your guilt.” Instant relief came over me, as I gave it to the Lord.

What is the point in staying in our guilt, when all we have to do is hand it over to Jesus? He wants to take our every care, our every burden. It’s so easy as wives and mothers to let our burdens and mistakes pile up in our minds to the point we are miserable because we dwell on our faults and failures.

What if, instead of replaying the events of the day in guilt and shame, we replaced our own thoughts by humbly telling the Lord about it? What if we asked Him for forgiveness, and asked Him to strengthen us so we make less mistakes the next day? What if, instead of wallowing in our self-pity, we turned it into fuel to be better for the Lord tomorrow?

“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, Because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV

Thank God that His mercies are new every morning! Ask God to forgive you, forgive yourself, and start over tomorrow. Don’t carry it around.

Now, I’m a big advocate for being better. I’m always trying to learn more, and improve as a Christian, wife, and mother. I’m sure you do too… and that’s what proves you want to do right. God sees your heart. You’re probably trying your best. Sometimes it’s not enough, but thank God that His grace is! Let His grace wash your guilt away. He wants to do it. Let Him.

My words mean nothing without receipts, so here are some scriptures I love to go to when I’m feeling guilt.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17 KJV

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6 KJV

Thank you so much for reading! I hope this was as encouraging to you as it was to me when God gave it to me.