I messed up again.
I had planned to act a certain way and then I did the exact opposite in the moment.
Has this ever happened to you?
It’s frustrating, irritating – and it kind of feels demoralizing. I want to act better, do better and be better. But I try, and fail.
Sometimes I look at myself and start to say, “Get it together girl. You aren’t doing anything right.”
But, as I see my reflection, I start to see a different reflection – the reflection of the image of Christ. A reflection of a girl that he proclaims is fearfully and wonderfully made.
I see one who he created just as he wanted her to be. I see me.
And, I realize that when he looks at me, he doesn’t think about me the way I do. He doesn’t say the things I say to myself.
He does not look down on me and say, “Get it together, girl.”
He doesn’t say, “There you go – messing up again.”
He doesn’t say, “You’re always dropping the ball.”
He doesn’t say, “You can’t do anything right…”
This is not the heart of Jesus.
Instead, his heart says:
“Seek me and I will handle the rest.”
“Trust me, I have a plan.”
“When you are weak, I am strong.”
“I use sinners to accomplish my plans.”
“I don’t call the perfect, I call the imperfect to go in my perfect way.”
“You are more than a conqueror through me.”
“Today you are weak, but it is exactly your weakness that will grow you.”
“I knew your weaknesses when I called you and I still wanted you.”
“I see your failings and I still love you.”
“You are only one ‘I’m sorry’ away from my forgiveness.”
“Shame may read on the last line, but the book is closed upon my forgiveness.”
“Nothing you do can separate you from my love.”
God doesn’t see the reflection of a bad girl who can’t do right;
he sees the reflection of his love.
A love he is prepared to send forth through an imperfect broken vessel. Because, it is through the broken pieces that we seek him and need him to put us back together again. In this pursuit, we find his glory, his majesty and his sanctifying power.
Our weaknesses don’t hold back his work.
The bottom line is I am loved. I am always in his love. I will mess up, but Jesus has risen up so that I can rise up with him as I lay it all down for him.
so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Cor. 2:5)
I can lay down my shame, my regret, my fears, my condemnation. I don’t need those things with Jesus. He paid for those things already.
I praise his glorious name! I give him all glory. Let us bow down to the one who has high and lifted as the greatest sacrifice – in the name of love. He effectively casts out all fear.
My weaknesses simply become points where his glory may be radiantly displayed – as he transforms me. In that, I can walk proud.
…I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. (2 Cor. 12:5)
Oh, How I needed to read your words today. I am one of those people that 2nd and 3rd guesses each step and still messes up. I need to see Jesus for who he is and how he sees me. I love your words to remember when I feel so disappointed with my “mess up again” days. Thank you, thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement. Blessings!
I am so glad that you needed these words Maggie and that this post spoke to you. This is my greatest desire – to make the difference that Jesus wants me to make. I celebrate you. We will have days we mess up – but, Christ’s power is perfected in our weakness. Much love to you.
“Our weaknesses don’t hold back His work.” Oh, there isn’t much more to be grateful for than that, is there?! I can think of many “weak” moments in my life (my day) when I would have shelved myself and labeled me “useless”, but God … He kept the wheels spinning and His plans moving forward. That holy nudge to get up, dust off, press on. Completely related to your words today! Blessed to be your neighbor at Meredith’s place.
I am so glad Tiffany – that you related to it. We are new creations. I love that. We are continually being remade. I love that even more. Have a blessed evening.
LOVE these thoughts today, Kelly. And this right here sums it up, “God doesn’t see the reflection of a bad girl who can’t do right; he sees the reflection of his love.” I’m the one that keeps messing up, too. Over and over and over. But I’m forgiven and loved and the reminder that He sees His reflection is one I need to be reminded of over and over. Thank you for always taking us back to the Cross. Love you. Love this. xo
I am so glad his love never ends. Praise God for this fact. I love seeing how much you all have enjoyed the snow! Fun times!
Oh how I love this, Kelly. I’m going to pin this post to my topic board as I listen for what God would have me share about identity in an upcoming conference for military wives. I love your list of what Jesus says. Great post today!
Thank you Ginger. That is great. There is power in this for release; I am confident. I am praying over it right now for the military wives. Much love to you and thank you for leaving a comment.
Thank you for sharing these incredible truths Kelly. I just love your heart and how you give us a glance into the thoughts of Jesus through the eyes of His Word 🙂
Thank you. Your comment touches me – to even think that I have an opportunity to point others to the thoughts of Jesus. Blessings to you Sarah. You are a joy to know!
Yes. I’ve been there. Just today actually. Like right before I sat down here to catch up on blogs. Amazing how God works. Thank you for this reminder – means so much to me today.
God bless you, friend.
Anne
Isn’t it funny how that works Anne? I just love how GOd provides just the right message at just the right time.
The hardest part of this for me is feeling mad at myself. Recently God reminded me that I was not accepting His peace that He so graciously gives when I mess up:) Since then, I’ve tried to remember to hold on to that peace and not let go!!
Yes, to grab hold of grace can sometimes be so hard. I am glad you are holding on to that peace more and more Kristine. It is one of the best gifts we can receive.
I seem to always relive those dumb moments. What can that possibly accomplish? I am thankful for a God who sees me with love!
Me too Sarah. I am beyond grateful. Thank you for your comment and for joining me on Purposeful Faith.
Let us bow down to the one who has high and lifted as the greatest sacrifice – in the name of love.
And all God’s girls said AMEN!
I needed this tonight. Thank you so much for sharing these words of encouragement!
Grace & Peace.
Today I. Blew up at my husband I asked him why was he so angry at me he got more angrier now I did it again I promised God I would control my anger I’m crying asking God to FORGIVE me but you’ve written this and it makes me feel better thank you blessings always God bless you
I really needed this I have messed up.allot and some days i.worry that God is give me.all.the chances I am.going to.get.
Hi Kelly, I needed this today. I have an elderly dad who lives with me and I often get frustrated and snap sometimes. I said I was sorry to him and to Jesus too. I just feel that I keep messing up. How many more times will I mess up I feel.
Hello Jan here. Thank you for that. It lift me up and you explained me better then i can explain myself. Thank you so much. God bless.
This made me feel a lot better…?thank you for writing this. I struggle with self love so it’s hard to remember that God doesn’t think those negative thoughts about me.
I needed this! Thank you for allowing God to use you to bring us back to the fold. I am so happy He doesn’t see me the way I see myself
Since February if this year I’ve been messing up horribly with this certain thing. In my mind I’m always saying “Lord I know you’re tired of me” In my heart I know he isnt. I just feel guilty. Sometime I don’t understand why the Lord loves me the way he does. It is a love thats unexplainable. Like who loves that way even in my mess. I think Satan wants us to think the Lord is mad at us. Sometime I don’t ask God for help after my mistakes because I feel undeserving. Then I really sink into a hole about where to get help. If I don’t seek him, then I can’t seek anyone.
Your words of encouragement hit home to my heart. I’ve been suffering from condemnation, shame, and irrational fears, especially every time I mess up. I feel like I’m making the same mistakes over and over…but there is progress being made! The Lord Jesus Christ is showing me how to pick up my mat again and keep moving forward and to learn from each situation. His unfailing love has kept me going, and His strength gets me through. A little over two years ago, the Lord delivered me from hard drugs and I am so grateful for this! He has led me through the fire and continues to refine me in areas that I need improvement, sculpting and molding me according to His purpose. It has not been an easy journey but I can boldly count it all as joy! Please pray that the Lord will deliver my husband out of the masons and into His glorious riches!
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain! Philippians 1:21.