A long red envelope — subtle enough for a hundred-dollar bill to feel extravagant, but extravagant enough for even a single dollar bill to feel elevated. If you’ve ever received one, you know. It’s a thing of elegance and expectation. The red envelope’s edges are crisp and, if adorned, exquisite. The flap is sealed, and…
The Upside of Guilt
What’s Your Conscience Telling You? Anita had been the advertising sales director for a multimillion dollar media company for several years when her boss informed her the business would be sold to an industry leader within a matter of months. The company wanted to continue bringing in advertising commitments for the upcoming quarters but didn’t…
Guilt
There is unspeakable joy… for the person who knows release from guilt and the release of forgiveness. ~ Stuart Briscoe Guilt says, “You failed.” Shame says, “You’re a failure.” Grace says, “Your failures are forgiven.” ~ Lecrae When I was ten years old and in the fifth grade, there was a boy in my…
Embrace Mercy
In a story told in the gospel of John, the Pharisees drag a woman accused of adultery before Jesus. Hoping to trap Jesus in a violation of Mosaic law, they say, Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do You say?” Infinitely wiser than those who would try…
Stop the Downward Spiral of Guilt and Shame
Shame, by formal definition, is a painful feeling of having lost the respect of others because of an improper behavior, sin, or label of incompetence. It arises from dishonor or disgrace stemming from something regrettable, unfortunate, or outrageous. Chronic Guilt and Shame Can Lead to Depression Our main reason to be concerned with guilt…
Trouble in Paradise: Tell the Truth
From the beginning of creation, God has asked for honesty — not perfection. I suppose it was easy for Adam and Eve to be honest with God at first, because they had not yet disobeyed Him. They had no secrets or hidden agendas, only full transparency with each other and with God. But after…
Balance Is Overrated
Because if everything is important, nothing is. Something is always born of excess: great art was born of great terror, great loneliness, great inhibitions, instabilities, and it always balances them. ~ Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin Every year in my company, I send out an in-depth survey to find out just a little…
How Long Should You Pray for Something?
I have often been asked, “Pastor Ronnie, how long should I pray for something?” I do not believe there is a Christian anywhere in the world today who has not asked at one time or another, “How long should I pray for something?” Years ago, some began to teach that if you really had enough…
Trade Your Cares for Calm: Handling Guilt
Antidote to Guilt Our guilt may be the result of a moment or a season in life. You failed as a parent. You blew it in your career. You squandered your youth or your money. The result? Guilt. A harsh consequence of the guilt? Anxiety. Surprised? Lists of anxiety-triggers typically include busy schedules, unrealistic demands,…
Letting Go: My Justice Fantasy
Editor’s note: Wilma Derksen’s world collapsed when her teenage daughter, Candace, was taken hostage and murdered. Through the process of grief and enduring the legal trials that followed the murder, Wilma learned to choose to “let go” and trust God with the outcome. * I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict…
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