Conviction Verses Shame

Conviction verses shame, I though I should write to you girls a little something about the subject. I mean what is the difference ? First let me say, I do not think shame comes from God. Both carry a heavy feeling in your stomach and heart. A feeling calling you to change, a feeling of repentance. But conviction to me has a joy to it, a feeling that “yes, now I see how wrong I was and now I can move forward, now I can do better“. Where shame is just that heavy feeling. There is never a release, it is all encompassing. I find when I feel shame, all the sudden nothing about me is good. All my past failures come back and haunt me. Things I have asked forgive for and moved forward, seem to pull me back, making me feel I have never changed. More importantly shame makes me feel I do not deserve forgiveness, I do not deserve change.

But this is a lie. Nobody is perfect, everyone struggles everyday to die to ones selfish self. But everyday also offers hope, change, growth, forgiveness is just around the corner. God tell us in His word

Romans 14:22

The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

and

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

and

1 Corinthians 4: 14-16

I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me.

Yes, there is conviction, guilt, consequence for our actions when we sin. But the only thing holding us back, is ourselves. Forgiveness, redemption, growth, freedom, it always right there. It is God grace and gift to us, all we have to do is ask. So remember when you have repented and asked Gods forgiveness, it is done. Do not look back xoxoxox

Psalm 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us

Comments

[terri aka pennyannpoundwise]

I've always felt shame came from the secretiveness about sin. It is conviction of a sort, but from Satan, always based on his desire for you to keep quiet and not confess....which keeps you bound up in the lie trap he has set. If we confess to no one but God, then we have loosened Satan's hold upon us, but I find it best to look for someone to whom I can confess as well, someone I trust and who loves me.This requires great care however, because sometimes others can perpetrate that sense of shame. Confession truly breaks the shackles of shame.

[Paula]

Dear Clarice,

Your "Heartfelt Thoughts" were such a tremendous blessing to me! I know your girls appreciate you writing this to them, and I appreciate you sharing it.

This is so timely, as just the other day I was feeling guilt and shame. Out of the blue I was remembering sins that I have committed, sins that I know I have repented and confessed to God, and know that I was forgiven. Just as you said, it made me feel like there was nothing good about me, and even worse that I was not forgiven. Yes, you are right, that is all a lie from satan! Thank you for the beautiful scripture you shared. Reading God's word always assures my heart and mind. I often think my neglect of reading His word leaves me open for attack! I agree, none of us are perfect and we all struggle, but the Lord is right there to help us. I love how you said, we do have conviction and consequences for our sins, but that forgiveness, redemption, growth, freedom are always there and all we have to do is ask. This is so true! Thank you for sharing your godly wisdom. Your beautifully written words have helped me so much! I am so thankful for the forgiveness found in Christ.

Much love,
Paula

[Jill]

Clarice,

You are a smart girl!
Chloe and Auberne are so very blessed to have you.
I've always thought any thoughts negative don't come from GOD.

Jill xoo