You make a mistake. You perceive a mistake in yourself. This false perception is turned to guilt, shame, and condemnation in your mind meaning you start with "I'm no good, nobody likes me" thought pattern. While you beat yourself up, that full time enemy sees an opening and starts looking for that in. Then you hear it, one comment or maybe its a whole conversation or a fight but just one comment can do it. Maybe your child or a loved one says "You just aren't good at that" Or maybe it's meaner and cuts at the quick maybe it's your kid screaming "You ruin everything!" after a string of examples of what horrible parent you are. And I have seen the people who don't care about these comments or say they don't and can just walk away or fire back. I've been them! But inside that comment from the other person stews. It mixes and blends and strengthens that fear that was already inside. It starts picking apart the progress you've made, leaking into other topics. If you can't parent perfectly maybe you shouldn't even try since you just mess it up...? In the words of Jesus himself, "Get back, Satan." We are NOT perfect, we DO make mistakes, but there is one thing that people following God for a long time have known, he does not discourage, "He calls you by your name", he does not name call or condemn any who come to Him laying down their burden. He calls you beautiful and glorious and COVERS you in grace. When you make a mistake, God says notice it as a mistake, pray for a better way and the strength to do better next time Ex: "Lord, I shouldn't have left that out over night to have to clean up in the morning when I'm tired and it can easily put me in a discouraged place. I know that this gives fear a foothold to hold me down and to feel like "I never do anything right" and I know that because I am covered by your grace, even my mistakes are worked to my highest good and the highest good of us all when handed over to you, oh Lord, instead of allowed to be a plaything for the enemy. Amen" This is the process of confessing, repenting, and feeling the overwhelming encouragement of forgiveness. It can be a model for all our interactions. #70times7
