Do you ever climb into bed and feel so discouraged?
You were angry with your children.
You were selfish with someone.
You shouldn't have said those words.
You're tired of having so many critical thoughts about your husband.
You know, those thoughts and actions that make you feel you are never going to be the woman God wants you to be.
You feel like such a failure.
You ate too much.
You spent too much money.
You get the picture...
I think most of us have nights like that. I did just the other night. My solution ~ I just started singing hymns in my head and thanking God for forgiving me for all my sins.
In 30 A.D., all my sins were forgiven and paid in full: past, present, and future. I thank Him all the time for such cleansing and freedom from guilt. Now I need to choose to continually walk in that freedom.
Scripture never commands us to lay in bed at night and think of all the sins you committed that day. The grace of God covers them. We are commanded, instead, to meditate upon His Word {Psalm 1:2}. We aren't commanded to examine our sins, but examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith {II Corinthians 13:5}.
How is your faith?
Is it built upon the solid rock?
Do you trust Him completely for everything?
If you have an on going sin that you struggle with, the Bible commands us to confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed {James 5:16}. This will hold us accountable to others for that sin and helps us to conquer it.
If you have sinned against someone else, go apologize and ask them for forgiveness. We are called to be at peace with all men {Mark 9:50}.
Encourage each other with words of strength...You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you {Philippians 4:13}. You are dead and freed from sin {Romans 6}, now walk in the Spirit, in the newness of life.
So next time you lay in bed discouraged and upset with yourself, renew your mind with God's truth {Romans 12:2}, His many promises and who you are in Christ.
Meditate upon them day and night, NOT on your sins but on how you have been cleansed from all unrighteousness {I John 1:9} and are clothed in Christ {Romans 13:14}.
How sweet is that? That will give you much better dreams any night than counting sheep {or sins}!
