Faith Steps for Weary Momsनमुना

Overcoming Mom Guilt

Becoming a mom can bring on lots of new challenges and circumstances, and a lot of times, these changes can be a gateway to the dreaded “mommy guilt.”

So how can you wade through your thoughts and emotions to see what is truly false guilt or conviction from the Holy Spirit? Today, we will talk about the differences between condemnation and conviction, and how to take inventory to experience freedom in your parenting journey.

Mom guilt can be a real struggle. The feeling often comes from the need to be the best or give the best to our sweet babies. And because we want to give them our best, we often carry around false guilt or “condemnation.”

But, the flip side of this is the gift of conviction.

Conviction is a strong word, and we often associate it with negative feelings or ideas, but conviction comes from our Heavenly Father and is given when we need to make corrections.

Hebrews 12:6 says, “because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Just as we correct our children, our Father does the same.

Let’s take a moment and weed out the difference between condemnation and conviction.

Condemnation: Attacks Your Identity.

This leads to hopelessness because so often it’s not specific, but a general feeling that you are inherently flawed. (For example: “You are a bad mom.You’re a mess. You are a failure.”)

False condemnation can lead you further into the dark and can become a cycle because it attacks your identity.

Conviction: Is God's LEADING to change a specific behavior or thought process.

(For example: to be more present, to stop gossiping, to start a spiritual discipline.)

These behaviors don’t define your identity, but they do need to be addressed. Your relationship with God does not hinge on your performance in these areas, but it will lead to hope, freedom, and intimacy with God.

Conviction lovingly calls you to step out of the dark and into the light, and we do this through confession or specific action steps.

We may need to apologize, repent, stop or start something. It also calls us to stop hiding.

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We can trust God to do this. He always does what is right. He will make us clean from all the wrong things we have done.

By bringing Jesus our “lack” and confessing to Him our sin, we are entrusting our Father with the depths of our soul. What JOY this should bring! HE FORGIVES US. But not only does He forgive, He corrects us and points us in the right direction.

Action Steps:

Today, take inventory of what you are thinking and believing and remember who you are and Whose you are.

If you are struggling in an area, ask yourself if that area of guilt matters for eternity or if you are simply feeling the weight of a worldly (and often unrealistic) expectation.

Take some time to reflect on these verses and ask yourself if you are living under false condemnation or loving conviction:

2 Corinthians 7:10-11
Romans 8:1-2
Hebrews 12:10-11
Psalm 32:3-5
Romans 12:10-11
James 3:17-18

Reminder of the Day:

God wants abundance for you and your family, and He calls you to things that are for your benefit and good.