Before I start this post…I have no clue how to fix the strange font issues I am having on these postings.?? I need Jim’s help.?? Ignore it for now and maybe my sweet honey can fix this for me soon.

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This week I found myself in a quandry.?? I needed to make a decision and I made it.?? I sought the Lord first, I prayed,??I wrestled with it – and then I acted.?? After the fact though I felt such a sense of oppression.?? I questioned everything from every angle.?? My heart knew what was right – but still – things are often not so simple as we??would have them.?? The Lord and I went round and round and round on the topic.?? I submitted myself over and over and at the end of the conversation with God I felt that my course, had been for all the reasons He and discussed, the right course…but why such a sinking feeling about it?????When the darkness didn’t lift, my prayer changed to this

“Ok Lord.?? I have come at this from every angle and I feel submitted to you.?? I feel that I made the right choice for the right reason even though it was a hard choice and will likely have consequence but if it is this hard for me to feel settled than I need you to examine every inch of this in my heart.?? Am I telling myself the truth??? Are my motives pure??? I believe the answer is yes but I don’t always trust what I tell me.?? Father tell me the truth.?? If my judgement was erred – please forgive it.?? Bring it to light.????Show me how to own it, be accountable for it.????If I need forgiveness, help me know and submit to it.?? Should I be saying thank you for wisdom or??I am sorry??? Were my actions balanced with love and truth??? Did I sacrifice love for truth??? Do I need to be mooooorreee gracious or do I need to stand firm on truth??? Help me Father sort this for I cannot.”

Ever have conversations like this with God??? Where you go round and round and round and at the end you still feel like you aren’t certain of your course??? In my heart of hearts, I thought (and still do think) that I did as God would have had me do…but the darkness still invaded.

Yesterday morning at BSF something was brought up during lecture time that was exactly what I needed to hear and I was grateful to be able to reflect on the message of it.????

GUILT VERSUS CONVICTION

In the New Testament – the word “guilt” only applies prior to salvation.?? That alone is a point worth considering.

In guilt, Satan wants you to focus on the fact that you are a bad person.
In conviction, God wants you to focus on the behavior.

In guilt, Satan wants you to to feel you have lost face with others.
In conviction, God wants you to focus on how you interferred with your relationship with Him.

In guilt, there is fear of God.
In conviction, there is fear of the consequences of sin.

Guilt leads to depression.
Conviction leads to repentence.

Guilt leads to shame.
Conviction leads to restoration.

Guilt ends in bitterness and self pity.
Conviction ends in comfort and forgiveness.

This was the healing message I needed.????Thought you might appreciate it too.

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