?Right now someone exists who has disappointed and offended us, someone with whom we are continually displeased and with whom we are most impatient, irritated, unforgiving, and spiteful than we would dare be with anyone else. That person is ourselves. We are so often fed up with ourselves. We?re sick of our own mediocrity, revolted by our own inconsistency, bored by our own monotony. We would never judge any other of God?s children with the savage self-condemnation with which we crush ourselves. We must be patient, gentle, and compassionate with ourselves in the same way we try to love our neighbor.? (Brennan Manning. The Signature of Jesus. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press, 1992, p. 142.)
Do you struggle with self-condemnation? Are you sometimes harder on yourself than you are on others? How do you need to let yourself be loved, and treat yourself a little more patiently and gently?
Take a few moments to talk honestly with the Father about these things. Let your heart realize that God?s posture toward your shortcomings and line-crossings is one of mercy, forgiveness, and determination to bring you closer to Himself in holiness and goodness.
There is no more condemnation for us once we?ve entrusted ourselves to Christ (Romans 8:1). So why do some of us keep going down that path? I think that?s a good question to ask ourselves.
