The winner of, Capture His/Her Heart, is…. Amanda @ pcwoodworking@m33access.com Congratulations, Amanda!
If you didn’t win, don’t fret. Today, you could win a copy of Guiltess Living Read on…
I’m delighted to introduce you to my friend, Ginger Hubbard, today. I’ve known Ginger for 13 years. I love this girl! Our relationship started at Proverbs 31 Ministries where we both served on the Speaking Team. Although God’s call on her life took Ginger in a different direction, I still glean from her friendship and godly wisdom.
Ginger is serious about God’s Word and teaches it with humor, transparency, and conviction. If you want a real relationship with God, Ginger will take you there in her new book, Guiltless Living! That’s not all. She’s giving away 3 copies today!
Take it away, Ginger… 
For so long in my life, I struggled with trying to be a good Christian. Inevitably, I would blow it on a daily basis then proceed to beat myself up spiritually and emotionally.
In setting my standards high for being what I perceived the perfect wife and mom, I chose the woman described in Proverbs 31 as my role model. On one particular morning, I remember reading about her and making unfavorable comparisons. She got up before it was still dark. I had rolled out of bed around 8:30 am. She was well dressed in fine linen and purple. I was in a baggy, terrycloth robe with my hair pulled up in an orange chip clip. She held the distaff while grasping the spindle with her fingers (not sure what those things are, but I am certain they contributed to her noble character). I held the dust buster to the crumbs on my bed sheets while grasping the empty bag of Doritos. She provided good food for her family and was always on top of things. I offered a choice of Burger King or McDonalds and felt the weight of my unaccomplished to-do list crashing down on me.
In comparison, I did not measure up. I felt anxious, defeated and disappointed in myself.
I wanted to be the wife who was always cheerful, never irritable, and only said words that edified, encouraged and built up. I wanted to be the mom who never lost it and only spoke with kindness, wisdom and faithful instruction. But, as hard as I tried, I always wound up blowing it in some way.
I just could not achieve the “good Christian” status I desired.
Through prayer and studying God’s Word, I began to realize that no matter how hard I tried, I would never achieve being the perfect Christian. I learned that the battle of victorious Christian living could not be won by sheer willpower or by teeth-gritting determination, but by tucking myself underneath the full armor of God and trusting that God is not only fighting for me, but He has already won the battle.
In measuring our self-worth in accordance with our own performances, we not only become anxious, but we miss out on experiencing the peace and rest of who we truly are in Christ.
Our worth is not based on what we do or do not do. It is not based on our successes and failures. It is not even based on whether we sin a little or sin a lot.
Our worth is based solely on Christ and the atoning work He has done on our behalf. We are His children, purchased at a price, forgiven and fully redeemed.
Embracing this wonderful truth brings about freedom. It is the freedom to forget about ourselves and lay down our measuring rods of self-worth and ongoing scrutiny. It is the freedom to release the suffocating anxiety our weaknesses cause, and instead take hold of God’s grace given to us through the cross.
Join me today in letting go of performance-based worth and self-imposed expectations. May we purpose to rest in the victory Christ has already won and truly experience the rich and satisfying joy of Guiltless Living!
Give Away
Because I have struggled so much with the issue of performance-based self-worth, I have a great compassion for other struggling women. I can relate and understand the mental, spiritual and physical exhaustion that comes from this way of living. If you are one of these women, it is my deep desire that you lay down your measuring rod of self-worth and stop beating yourself up. I desire this so much that I’d like to give away three of my books in hopes that you might experience the freedom of Guiltless Living.
Thank you, Ginger!
I feel like I’m not the mom I wanted to be either and so I’m so thankful that I can tuck “myself underneath the full armor of God and trusting that God is not only fighting for me, but He has already won the battle”. Thank you for reminding me of this today.
I struggle on a daily basis of being a good Mom (cause of sin my children are living and not doing what I think I should) being a good wife, because of not taking time, like I should to concentrate on my marriage. Not being a good enough Christian.. Because I don’t do like I should… Not good enough at work, cause I allow my mind to wonder. Thanks for reminding me today. I am good enough, even tho I have still have doubt.. God still loves me. Would love a chance to win “Guiltless LIving”..
My girls are 23 & 25 and I still struggle with questions….did I do this right, should I have done this, what if I…..only God’s grace brought me thru and I struggle at times wondering what I could have done differently. One child is living a Godly life, the other is not. Praying daily God will do whatever it takes to bring her back to Him. Thanks for the encouragement, because without the cover of Christ, how do women cope?
I’d love to win a copy of this! 🙂
Where can I get info for the giveaway?
Oh how I needed this today. I feel like you are looking through my windows & wrote this for me. Thank you for sharing!
What a wonderful post this morning. As I prepare to start my day as a stay at home mom, I ask Him to provide me with the armor I’ll be needing today to guide my family. Guide them the Proverbs way. This post reminded me that not everyday will it run smoothly and that’s okay. Thank you for the reminder that He still loves me anyway, despite my faults…and guilt. 🙂
Wow, this is SO encouraging to me! Thank you for sharing your struggles, and your story. I can relate to this, every single day. Thank you.
What a timely post. I needed to hear this as I live each day of my life in the shadow of “not good enough”.
M. Waters
This was so helpful. i’ve been struggling for almost a year with so many issues. I want to be able to REST in Christ..
Thank you Micca! I continually compare myself to others and I always feel like I fall short. It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one that faces this feeling. This was a great reminder that my worth is based on Christ and Christ alone.
Thanks so much for your post. I have struggled with this for years and this was a good reminder that I am good enough through Jesus Christ…
This post was right on time! I live in the realm of not being good enough. And I still consider myself being a “baby Christian” and often feel I’m not doing it right and sometimes it’s easier to just stop trying. I believe I will benefit from this book greatly in changing my view on myself and trying to be perfect…. There is no perfect person and all I can do is strive each day. And remember when I mess up, pray to God to change those things. But most importantly, there is no condemnation in God.
Wow, I don’t even know what to say other than thank you for your honesty. Thank you for showing us what God has shared with you through your struggles. No more measuring sticks…
I am so excited that I won the last giveway! I think they will be a perfect thing for my husband and I to read while celebrating our 14th anniversary! I also struggle with not being good enough. But with God’s help I can lean on Him and he will guide me. Lord, help me!
Hi Amanda! Congratulations! If you’d send me your home address, I’ll get your books in the mail! Blessings, Micca
I have always struggled with basing my self-worth on how I measure up to others. I got a lot better at it for awhile, but now that I’m a new mom, I feel those insecurities creeping back in sometimes. This post was such a great reminder that my worth is solely based in Christ. Thank you!
Thanks for these encouraging words. I think I could benefit from this book! Plus I have a sister and daughter I would share with.
Thank you for sharing this post today. The reminder that Jesus has taken my place and is the Victor. Amen.
Very timely as I struggle with poor decisions made in an attempt to validate my self-worth by the approval of others, rather predictably coming up short!
I struggle with this and would like to have the book.
Right.On.Time!
Since suicide loss of spouse 11 yrs ago today…my self worth has taken a deep hit. Thinking I could use that book.
This sounds so much like me and what I need. Somehow all the praise and encouragement I get from others is over run by the voice inside my own head that says its never enough, I didn’t get to everything I wanted to and that I am just not good enough. Thank you for your post today.
Thank you for this inspirational message. I know I would learn from this book and would pass it on to my girlfriends.
Blessings
I am definitely my worst enemy. I can never compare or accomplish things well enough. I try to take it easy on myself but it’s not easy. I would love to read your book. Your message today was perfect timing. God bless!
Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to win this book – sounds like something I need to read.
Wow! Everything you said felt like it was a message just for me. As a stay at home mom to two small children I struggle daily with feeling like I fall short. I would love to read your book. Thanks for your message today.
This sounds like a great book! I would love to win it!
Thank you for the opportunity to win a book! I’d love to win a copy of the book.
Ginger’s words speak directly to my heart. I daily struggle with trying to be the perfect mom, wife, employee, friend… and I fail miserably EVERY SINGLE DAY. It makes me feel like a complete failure in all areas of my life. Thank you for the chance to win this book, it sounds like something that I should really look into reading!
Great resources to have. Thanks for all you do.
Continually struggling to be the best me I can be, and continually failing. Oh to contentedly be the woman God designed me to be.
I feel like God is showing me, I need this book to help
Me as me through His eyes!!! Praying I win this one!
I would really love to win a copy! Thank you for doing this great giveaway!
Definitely needed to hear this today!
I battle this everyday. I definitely needed to hear this and loved what you said. I can’t wait to read this book!
Hi Micca and Ginger! It is very challenging to let our mistakes, our stumbles and falls go completely…and I have trouble sometimes with “beating myself up”…would love to read this book! Thx for the opportunity! God bless!
Thank you for your encouragement. I struggle with comparing myself daily to other moms & seem to never measure up. It’s an area of weakness that I am trying to change. I would love to read your book!
Blessed by reading this today. I finally know what to call it….”performance-based self-worth.”
Thanks for the opportunity to win your book! I struggle every day with feeling “good enough” or feeling like I haven’t “done enough” to become the best Christian, mother, friend, employee, etc that I can be. Your words of encouragement help so much!