Why is it that we will stay away from the Lord when we "mess up"? Mostly it is because whatever we did, we did it to our self. We either disobeyed, we opened the door to the temptation, we gave into something we shouldn't have, we didn't listen and did our own thing anyway, and now we are suffering for it. Therefore, we think that we don't have the right to ask God for forgiveness or help. We feel like whatever "punishment" we are getting, we deserve it.
I need to make something clear. Yes, there are consequences to most of our actions. Some of the things we suffer are at our own hands. There are some consequences that may never go away. We may have, in some cases, to live with the consequences of bad choices. But if you are being pressed down, if you are being condemned, if you are being tormented, if you are being rob of peace and joy, then that is something you don't have to "live with".
While the consequences may not change, the Lord wants to give you peace and grace in them. He wants to give you joy and contentment. He wants to take the heavy burden of guilt, shame and condemnation that brought on the consequences away from you. He doesn't want you to feel like you have to "pay for this" the rest of your life. He doesn't want you to feel as though this is your "cross to bear". He doesn't want you to go through life weighted down by it. He carried it for you. He bore it for you. We all make mistakes-- some bigger than others-- but He bore the punishment of them.
So stop running from the Lord and allowing the enemy of your soul to make you believe that you have to carry the emotional, inner and spiritual turmoil of this as part of your punishment. You don't. Go to Him and let Him give you rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light-- a whole lot lighter than what you are carrying.
Have a great day. Just because you did it to yourself, doesn't mean that you have to carry the punishment of it and that the Lord won't forgive and restore you.
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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
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