I don’t know about you, but whenever I feel wrongfully treated, there is a temptation in me to want to defend and justify myself. In times where someone believes slander or a lie about me, I have a strong desire to prove them wrong and set the record straight. But the question I struggle with is, “Is this the right response God is wanting me to take or is this my flesh and pride getting in the way?”

Well, I am competitive in other places; places where I see how I may control things, or fix the circumstances, or be the “wise”(est) friend. I want to win. I want to be the best. I want to be known, remembered, and respected. However, this desire to keep score allows Satan a foothold into my heart.

Have you ever made a mistake and felt stuck in feelings of guilt and shame? …When I get this way, it can be hard to move forward for me. I struggle with thoughts and feelings of being unworthy and undeserving of God’s love, grace and mercy. So what do I do to overcome these feelings and get unstuck?

One of the hardest things I had to do to follow Jesus was to forgive a family member who had hurt me deeply for over two decades. Before I started getting closer to God, forgiveness for this person felt impossible.

Have you ever denied knowing someone? Can you imagine pretending not to know a family member or close friend? And if you did, can you imagine being forgiven by that same person?