Wherever You Are: Grace for Momsනියැදිය

I remember one of the first times my new understanding of God’s heart for me was tested. It had been a bit since I had lost my temper, but my patience had been stretched thin during homeschooling that morning. Then later in the day, Gabe and Natalie’s playing turned into fighting, and the noise woke up the baby I had just put down for a nap. I erupted with my “scary scream.” As my children trudged away, the Holy Spirit quickly convicted me. I repented to God and asked for forgiveness and help to change.

But when I apologized to my children, my son said, “I don’t forgive you. I’m still angry at you. You said you were going to try and not yell at us anymore. You lied.” I apologized again and explained as best I could that overcoming and changing is a process, not an overnight fix. But he was unmoved. I was heartbroken. My old familiar script rushed to my mind. He’s right. I am a liar and a bad mom. I’ll remember this and not do it again.

As I continued to embrace the pain and punishment of Gabe’s words, the Holy Spirit cut in and said, “Who do you believe?”

“But . . . but I hurt him.”

“Yes. And God said you were forgiven. Who do you believe?”

Long pause.

The words I had been reading came to mind, and I declared out loud, “I am forgiven by God. It’s okay to be upset by the hurt I cause but not to punish myself with it. Jesus’ sacrifice does not require my pain or misery in order to make it complete. I can move forward right now in joy and peace. I will not give away the rest of my day to defeat. I am loved, accepted, and holy right now. I choose to believe you.”

Holding on to what God has released will not help you. Punishing yourself with the memory won’t make you less likely to repeat the offense or more deserving of forgiveness. Jesus has already paid for your wrongs. We don’t need to add anything to make the sacrifice complete. We can accept his forgiveness and start over right now. Don’t wait until you think you have suffered, mourned, or repented enough. God has already removed your sins from you. It was his joy to do it.

Declare Out Loud over Yourself

My sins are removed. I will not hold on to what God has released (based on Psalm 103:12).

Declare Out Loud over Your Child

[Child’s name]’s sins are removed. We will not hold on to what God has released.

Connect with Your Heavenly Father

What is one (or more) thing(s) or more you’re thankful for? What is something you appreciate about who God is? Set a timer for one minute. Wherever you are, pause and rest in his presence.