Comments on: When I could have done better

By: Alison

Alison — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:01:32 +0000

Thank you for the courage to share this. I hate learning in public, but I see the Lord using my mistakes that others see to grow me in a way that could not be done in private. This was what my heart needed today.

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 03:41:04 +0000

I love how the Lord had you process this. It was so healthy.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 18:10:37 +0000

Dearest Alicia, as another introvert, this speaks volumes to me. I often find myself ‘reliving’ a moment in my head and kicking myself for what I ‘could have done/said (or should not have done/said)’. Sometimes, I can let it go, but other times, when I felt God leading me toward something, I struggle afterward that I didn’t fulfill it properly.

Similarly, my husband is an actor for live theater. Sometimes, he will come out after a show, discouraged that they skipped half a scene because someone said the wrong line. He gets quite bothered by this at times. Then I remind him, “but the audience didn’t know you were suppose to say those lines, nor was it noticeable. Maybe a rough transition, but it worked with what you had at the moment.” He’s an extrovert, so this tells me that we all tend to criticize ourself more than anyone else would.

Your steps for processing are good, so as to allow the Holy Spirit to assist us with what is healthy reflection as opposed to destructive self criticism.

I’m sure that your presentation still offered rich thoughts for many to take and process. God still uses the seeds that were scattered.

By: Leah Adams

Leah Adams — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 09:06:32 +0000

A great deal of wisdom here! I have always been the type that beats myself up over any little mistake. As I mature, both chronologically and spiritually, I am learning that Jesus, indeed, expects my mistakes and He covers them. So, when I goof, I take it to Him and allow Him to teach me from it. I have never really thought through the process the way you did here, so that is very helpful to me. Thank you.

By: Annie

Annie — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 18:19:48 +0000

I think I navigate in ways similar to you. I try to see what contributed to the “less than best” situation, as you did in looking at your weariness. I suppose though, that I often find more than one reason for certain missteps. So I ask if the pieces that contributed were sinful or not. So in my case, it may be that I was both tired (not sinful) and worried about how people would perceive me. The second item does fall into the sinful category–being motivated by fear of people over fear of the Lord. Or seeking approval of people above approval of God. So dealing with that would entail looking at that fear or desire and taking that before the Lord for forgiveness, and also asking Jesus if I need to process where fear comes from or how it got in, etc. To see if He wants to deal with it in a deeper way. Or, if there are several competing factors and I don’t know which is most important, I may simply ask Jesus what He wants to talk to me about at this moment. Sometimes I see more than one area that needs to be transformed in my life, but I can’t see where to begin. Jesus knows the best order to address my sins and weaknesses, so I let Him guide me.

By: Sophia DeLonghi

Sophia DeLonghi — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:45:48 +0000

God is not looking for perfection on our behalf…just wants our obedient and willing heart! He covers everything with His incredibly abundant grace and mercy. It was His teaching anyway, having given you the material to teach and present. As long as we are willing servants, He covers all the bases. He is perfect! And He loves and will use your message to impact people’s lives in a way that only He can do! Amen! God bless you for your willingness to put yourself out there. Give yourself the grace you give others.

By: elaine @ peaceforthejourney

elaine @ peaceforthejourney — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 19:06:40 +0000

If my intentions were God-honoring and I have been faithful to do my part with the task-at-hand, I mostly let it go and remember that God is faithful to water the well-intentioned seed. It’s not that I don’t value the evaluation, but I don’t linger there too long. Heaven holds the value of those moments; God is faithful to sort out the details.

I’ve dealt with this on a much smaller scale in my teaching this year. I’m faithful to teach the Bible to my students, but it doesn’t always feel like it’s “landing” where it should. Still and yet, I teach and pray for the Holy Spirit’s hand therein. The harvest isn’t visible, but I’ve done my part.

Keep planting, Alicia. God will do the rest.

By: Cynthia Zierhut

Cynthia Zierhut — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 15:13:35 +0000

In that I spent so many years as a spiritual orphan, my flesh is still inclined towards defensiveness and blame shifting. Now when I have made an error, I choose another route. It is still purposeful, I must actively get into His presence and call on His love as His daughter. Then with Him I can hear His correction, which for me often involves acknowledging this mistake (often to another) and allowing the Lord to speak through that process and/or that person. It’s producing a softening in my personhood that could only be developed by the practice of adoption (daily)

By: Karla Ford

Karla Ford — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 14:22:42 +0000

I used to really berate and punish myself for making mistakes. I’d endlessly go over what I could have, should have done. I still have a hard time letting go. My first step was realizing that it simply isn’t about me.It is about Him. So, i’ve found freedom to allow myself to make mistakes, and trust God to cover me. I’m still not where I want to be though. But the journey has begun.