Hello my sweet friend! This past week as I was listening to several different women share their hearts with me, I kept hearing them say the same thing in one way or another. See if any of these sound familiar to you:
“When I eat too much at a party or social gathering I always feel so gross and guilty the next day.”
“I really struggle with feeling guilty about getting a sitter so I can go train.”
“I’m battling thoughts that workouts are selfish and really feeling guilty about taking time for myself.”
“I just can’t seem to stay on track. I beat myself up and get so frustrated that I just say oh who cares and eat whatever I want. Then I feel horrible about that too.”
The major theme here is GUILT. This four letter word can keep you in a cycle of defeat, criticism, and misery. It’s time to say goodbye to it and stop letting it control our actions. Get rid of it today and forever! In fact, I think we should HAVE A FUNERAL FOR IT! SAY GOODBYE TO GUILT AND LIVE!
One thing I know about us gals, is that we are our own worst critics and have the tendency to put unrealistic expectations on ourselves. If we aren’t living up to our idea of perfection then we throw ourselves into a pit of guilt. The problem with guilt is that it’s a vicious negative cycle of self-destruction. When you feel guilty and shameful, you immediately feel worthless. When you feel worthless you feel like you don’t deserve anything and self- destructive behaviors can set in. Then you feel GUILTY for doing the self-destructive thing and the cycle starts all over again!
Listen to me when I say this. Guilt is NOT from God. There is a huge difference between conviction and guilt. Guilt is from the enemy and is an attempt to sidetrack you from your priorities. Do not tolerate it. It’s an attempt to get you to self-destruct. Guilt is condemning and shameful. Neither of these two things is how Jesus operates.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
Now, if you’ve legitimately screwed up then bring it before God and ask for forgiveness. When you do this, it’s over! He isn’t going to remind you of it or point our your faults. Most of the time, there isn’t even a reason for us to feel guilty. It’s self- imposed and all in our head. Dare I say an excuse?
In this life you are going to screw up and make mistakes. Things won’t always go as planned and NO ONE is perfect. We are all 70% at best. The key when you screw up is to take it before God and then move on. He doesn’t hold a grudge so why should you? Get over it. Refuse to dwell on it. Focus on what you’re doing right instead of what you’ve done wrong. Those that succeed in life are those that are constantly moving forward. Take the next positive step and stay on that path. Keep truckin.
Hebrews 4:15-16
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Go before him confidently my dear and please hear me when I say that you must put taking care of yourself a priority. There is no shame and guilt in that. This doesn’t mean you are doing reckless things but rather something positive for you, so you can better serve those around you. In doing this, you are properly stewarding the gift of your life that God has blessed you with and filling up to be his light to others.
Saying Goodbye to Guilt,
Lindsey Nadler
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