Abby McDonald

Finding the Hope of Christ in a Messy Life

  • Home
  • About
  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

4 Truths to Hold Onto When You Think You've Let God Down

March 24, 2016 by Abby McDonald

when you think you've let God down


One weekday morning several months ago, I woke up to a familiar tune. In my grogginess I realized my husband had personalized the alarm on my phone.

He can be sweet that way sometimes. He knew the words of Tenth Avenue North’s By Your Side held a reminder I desperately needed. A reminder that his grace covers me, that I don’t need to strive to attain his love.

I’d fallen into the old, familiar habit of running again and the lyrics of the song washed over me like raindrops on arid soil.

Why are you striving these days

Why are you trying to earn grace

To where will you go, child,

Tell me where will you run

Where will you run?

We have a tendency to run from what we don’t understand, don’t we? We can’t comprehend how God could love us despite all of the mistakes we’ve made and the times we’ve messed it all up, so we fight it.

We struggle against his grace when all He wants to do is wrap us in it. (Tweet that)

I tend to fight Him most when I feel as though I’ve let someone down. My people pleasing tendencies lead me to believe I have to be everything to everyone, and when I can’t, I assume God must be unhappy too.

Right? I mean, surely. It makes perfect sense. Um no, and therein lies the problem. Because God’s grace doesn’t make sense.

God doesn’t expect us to please every single person in our life. He simply wants us to abide in his love.

When we quit striving to understand his grace, we can finally accept it. (Tweet that)

We can lift our hands and simply say, “Thank you. Thank you for covering me even though I don’t deserve it.”

Today, let’s not forget that faith, by definition, means trusting what we don’t fully understand. It means putting our hope in what we don’t see, but will one day behold completely.

4 truths when you think you've let God down

Here are four truths to hold onto when you think you’ve let God down:

  1. God’s approval has nothing to do with the approval of others. (Tweet that)

Others may turn their backs on you, walk away, or gossip. Do you know who endured similar ridicule and abandonment? Jesus. Paul says it best in Galatians:

“If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 NIV

  1. God’s approval has nothing to do with your good works.

He paid the price on Calvary. Do you think he would have endured the nails if there was something you could do to pay your own way? The good works we do are works He planned. (Ephesians 2:10) His Spirit empowers us, not our own strength.

  1. God’s not going to let you go. He’s placed his seal on you, and his seal is eternal.

Once you accepted Him, he placed his Spirit with in you. That’s his seal, friend. (2 Corinthians 1:21) It’s a deposit guaranteeing when Jesus Christ appears, he will look at you and say, “She’s mine.” You can grieve Him, but God will always go after his wandering sheep.

  1. God doesn’t look at your past sin.

Once we confess it, he remembers it no more. (Psalm 103:12) Not because he can’t, but he chooses not to. He gives you a fresh slate, made clean by the blood of his precious son. So why do we continue to dwell on sin he’s already forgiven?

Friends, when we soak in the truth of God’s love, it changes us. It strengthens us to stand firm against the lies we hear every day and the attacks of the one who wants to defeat us.

Let his grace permeate your defenses today. And when it does, thank Him for the victory we have in Him alone.

 

Linking up with these communities: #LiveFreeThursday, Grace & Truth 

Share if you care!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: discouragement Tagged With: faith, God's love, grace

Let’s Stay Connected

Subscribe to receive my latest posts via email.
And as a thank you, I’ll send you a free PDF download of
"The Daughter’s Manifesto."

Privacy Policy

Comments

  1. Betty Cooper says

    March 24, 2016 at 8:30 am

    Thank you. I needed to hear that this morning. You covered all the details I needed to hear.

    • Abby says

      March 24, 2016 at 8:57 am

      So blessed to hear that, Betty. Thank you. Praying you have a wonderful Easter.

  2. Trudy Den Hoed says

    March 24, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    I love these Truths, Abby. Thank you so much for encouraging my heart today. What a sweet thing for your husband to do. 🙂 I love that song, too. Have a joy-filled Easter!

    • Abby says

      March 25, 2016 at 9:41 am

      Yes, I am blessed to have him. 🙂 Thank you Trudy and I hope you have a wonderful Easter as well.

  3. Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says

    March 24, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    Abby,
    I love the lyrics of that song, probably because I live them and do have to ask myself, “Why am I striving so much?” Learning and trusting that there is not a way possible that I could disappoint God, has been a lifelong learning lesson. Trusting when I can’t see what lies ahead, presents a whole new set of challenges. I keep trying to remember that God is constant and steady. His love and grace are constant and steady…He is not fickle like I am…praise for that!!
    Blessings and a joyous Easter,
    Bev xx

    • Abby says

      March 24, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      I agree, Bev. It is a lifelong lesson and one we have to learn continually. So thankful for you, friend. Have a beautiful Easter.

  4. Dana H. says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    Thank you for a wonderful post on grace. So timely for me this week as I think about what Easter really means. #LivefreeThursday

    • Abby says

      March 25, 2016 at 9:42 am

      I’m so glad to hear it reached you at the right time, Dana. Hope you have a wonderful Easter. Thanks for stopping by!

  5. Lori Schumaker of Seaching for Moments says

    March 24, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    Abby,
    This is such a touching story. I love that song by 10th Avenue North and I love that your husband did such a sweet act of love! Your four points are so so SO good. My favorite is #3 -“God’s not going to let you go. He’s placed his seal on you, and his seal is eternal.”
    There was a season in my growth as my daughter’s Mama that I repeated that to myself over and over and over again. The kind of mother I needed to be for her was not natural to me. It felt different or even wrong and would really deplete me. Then I would have those moments where I ached for the thoughts or feelings I had or for when I would have moments of losing my temper. I would claim my heart as sealed by Him and no one else. It reminded me of His unfailing love, as well as protect me from the enemy. With God’s seal, the enemy had no way to grab a foothold in me!
    Thanks so much, sweet friend! I was so blessed by this!

    • Abby says

      March 25, 2016 at 9:43 am

      Thank you for your sweet encouragement and for sharing some of your story, Lori. Praying you have a joyous Easter. Always blessed to hear from you!

  6. forrealfridaymom says

    March 25, 2016 at 10:59 pm

    “I tend to fight Him most when I feel as though I’ve let someone down. My people pleasing tendencies lead me to believe I have to be everything to everyone, and when I can’t, I assume God must be unhappy too.”
    What a realization for me. Thank you for sharing your heart.

Hi! I'm Abby and I'm so glad you're here. I am a wife and a mom of two very energetic boys and one sweet baby girl. When I'm not chasing them around I love to write about my love for a God who relentlessly pursued me, even during my darkest times. READ MORE...

Let’s Stay Connected

Subscribe to receive my latest posts via email. And as a thank you, I’ll send
you a free PDF download of "The Daughter’s Manifesto."

Privacy Policy

Stay Connected

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Popular Posts

5 Ways to Promote Unity in the Church
How God Responds When His Own Want to Die
4 Truths to Hold Onto When You Think You've Let God Down
The Day I Realized Why I Wasn't Hearing God Speak

You Can Find Me Here

Take the Challenge

Categories

Recent Facebook Posts

Recent Facebook Posts

Recent Pins

Latest Instagram Feed

Not all authors read reviews of their book, and I Not all authors read reviews of their book, and I understand that. It can be more than a little discouraging to read a scathing review. I am one of those authors who does read them, because sometimes I need a small glimpse of what God is doing. A little push to keep going. This review on Amazon made me tear up when I read it, because this is why I write. If it weren’t for things like this, I would’ve quit a long time ago.

If you’ve read Shift, please consider leaving an honest review. Why? Well, for one thing, I’m nearing one of those magic numbers on Amazon: 100. I don’t think fireworks will go off or anything when I reach it, but it does help with Amazon’s algorithms. This means more people will see the book when they’re shopping in the “you may also like” section, etc. And another person may be reached by God in ways only he can reach them, like he did here.

Thank you so much. 💗

P.S. You do not have to have purchased from Amazon to leave an Amazon review.

#authorsofinstagram #hopewriters #bookstagram #booksof2020 #shiftbook
This is me. An unremarkable photo after something This is me. An unremarkable photo after something I had to psyche myself up for an hour to do: thirty minutes of intense cardio. Back in January, I said yes to a life change I haven’t done, well, ever. I started working out five days a week, I eliminated processed foods, and replaced my love for potato chips with fruit and veggies. 

(Well, actually that’s not true, but I tell myself it is as I’m eating the healthy stuff. 😉)

My point of all this is not to tell you I lost twenty pounds or even ten, because I haven’t. It’s not to sell you anything either, because I’m not. My point is to tell you this: Keep going, even when you don’t think it’s making a difference.

When I didn’t see immediate results, I was tempted to give up. But with each choice to show up, I see progress. More energy. Less recovery time and breathlessness. Even after three weeks, I feel different, because my body and mind are changing.

Whenever we start something new, there’s usually a dip. That period where we don’t see the change we want, so we throw in the towel. But nothing in life worth having comes easy. So keep pressing play. Keep making the choice to move awkwardly through the discomfort.

Because one day you’ll wake up and realize you’re not the same.

#keepgoing #lifegoals #hopewriters #authorsofinstagram #shiftyourmindset
#ValentinesDayChallenge •How did you two meet #ValentinesDayChallenge
•How did you two meet? We lived in the same apartment complex and would always see each other while walking our dogs. Our dogs wanted to play together. 🐶💖

•How long have you been together? About 18 years since our first date.

•Who asked who out? Chris asked me.
 
•Who said I love you first? Chris 

•Who is the most sensitive? Me

•Where do you eat out most as a couple? Ottaviani’s 

•Who’s older? Me
 
•Who has the worst temper? Chris

•Who is more social? We’re about the same but Chris is friendlier to people we don’t know.

•Who is the neat freak? Me

•Who is the most stubborn? It’s a toss up.

•Who gives in first? Me

•Who's the funnier one? He is. 

•What was your first date? Cafe Strudel in Columbia, SC

•Where was your first kiss? My apartment 

•Plans date night? I find the sitter, he books the restaurant.

•Who was interested first? Him

•Who is the first one to admit when they’re in the wrong? It’s about 50/50.

•Who wears the pants in the relationship? Depends on the subject.

•Who cries more? Me

•Married? Yes- 14.5 years 

•Who makes the most messes? Chris 

•Who sings better? Me 

•Hogs the remote? Me

•Better driver? Chris gets in an accident every time I’m pregnant. When I’m not, we’re both pretty safe but I have a lead foot.

•Spends the most? Me

•Did you go to the same school? No- rival universities, actually 
 
•Where is the furthest you two have traveled? Hawaii

Happy Valentine’s Day, my love! There’s no one I’d rather do this crazy life with. 

#valentinesday2021 #myvalentine
Those people in our lives who don’t think the wa Those people in our lives who don’t think the way we do? They’re the exact ones God called us to love. I know I can do better in this area, and I’m asking him to help me embrace the differences that challenge me.

When he gave the greatest commandment, he didn’t use qualifiers. I’m so glad he created a world that is diverse and not monotone. It’s so much more beautiful and interesting than a one note, one tone creation.

#hopewriters #authorsofinstagram #cultivatekindness #hisgrace #cultivatewhatmatters
Seven years ago, I purchased this guide at a write Seven years ago, I purchased this guide at a writer’s conference. It was part of my commitment to write regularly, and after hearing Jerry Jenkins speak, I knew I wanted him to sign it.

He didn’t know me from Adam’s cat, so he couldn’t have known how much I would need the truth woven into the penned scripture reference:

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

But God knew. 

More times than I can count, God has spoken to me through the right word at the right time or a simple gesture. The beauty of it is that he uses ordinary people like you and me to do it. All it requires is for us to follow a little nudge, and we can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

Who is God calling you to encourage today?

shiftbook.org

#shiftbook #wordsofencouragement #hopewriters #authorsofinstagram #shiftyourmindset
Sometimes by saying no, God is giving us something Sometimes by saying no, God is giving us something better than we could imagine. He’s opening his hands and allowing us access to a gift we never thought to hope for. Not seeing him work the way we want allows us to see him in a whole new way. 

➡️ Excerpted from Shift

shiftbook.org

#shiftbook #shiftyourmindset #authorsofinstagram #hopewriters #hisgrace #faithquotes
ONE YEAR BOOK BIRTHDAY REFLECTIONS More often tha ONE YEAR BOOK BIRTHDAY REFLECTIONS

More often than I can count, it’s my kids who remind me how an intentional perspective shift can change the way I live. It can alter the way I approach circumstances that make me want to groan and throw up my hands (insert the entire year of 2020). They are God’s little messengers in the middle of my stubbornness, and remind me of his promises. It will be okay, even if tomorrow doesn’t look the way I want.

It turns out, I wrote an entire book about shifting and I didn’t even realize how much I would need it. Today is its one year birthday. 

Months before its release, 2020 approached and I had a grand vision for how the year would go. In my mind, I saw in-person conferences and events, hugs with those who supported the journey, and some travel here and there. Of course, March rolled around and the year took a complete 180 from what I saw in my head.

God called me to shift my perspective in a way I never foresaw, and in a way I quite frankly didn’t want to.

But doing so changed me.

➡️ New post- link in bio

#authorsofinstagram #shiftyourmindset #shiftbook #bookstagram #bookbirthday #hopewriters
Winter skies are some of my favorites. The colors Winter skies are some of my favorites. The colors are so crisp and vivid, and when there’s a fresh blanket of snow they come alive in a new way.

This was my view on the way to karate. I had to stop for a second, after watching for cars of course, to capture it. It’s one intentional way I am remembering the beauty of this season. A pause, a snap, a moment of thanks.

#searchingforbeauty #1000gifts #winterwonderland #winterbeauty #appalachianmountains
We got our first big snow of the year yesterday. I We got our first big snow of the year yesterday. I was surprised how much I missed it. I think these kids did too.

One of the things I love about winter is it reminds me that God creates beauty in the midst of darkness. Beauty right there in the midst of death. As I watched the flakes fall, I realized how whimsical they are. They take their time and show off on their descent. And when the moon comes out and its light reflects off the fresh snow, there’s nothing like it. 

#winterreflections #hopewriters #snowdays #searchingforbeauty #winterwonderland
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 Abby McDonald | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy Policy

LET’S STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe to receive my latest posts via email.
As a thank you, I’ll send you a free PDF download of “The Daughter’s Manifesto.”

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.