How is your spiritual life going? Are you feeling frustrated with yourself? Are you distraught over your lack of progress? Do you keep falling into the same sins repeatedly?
Welcome to the human race!
No, I’m not trying to dismiss your concerns flippantly. Sometimes we just need a reminder that we are, after all, fallen. Adam’s sin affects us all. But here’s something you may not have realized:
Your sins do not shock God!
God is used to sinners. He has centuries of experience with them. He even came down from Heaven to live among them. Then people criticized Him for eating with sinners instead of the “righteous.” Yes, He loved to hang out with people like you and me.
God delights in showing mercy. He delights in lifting our burdens. He delights in carrying our yoke with us, comforting our sorrows, calming our fears.
In chapter 10 of Trusting God with St. Therese I tell how I endured being brainwashed by a group of Christians who believed only they were true followers of Christ. One sentence they said has never left me: “God is displeased with you.” Oh, how untrue that was and is! When we try to follow Christ, He is never displeased with us. He is only displeased by our rebellion, our deliberate turning away from Him. And if we have deliberately sinned or even turned away from Him completely, He extends a hand to bring us back.
Listen for His gentle voice! Look for His grace!
He offers us forgiveness and an eternal life of joy. All for the price of doing the only thing that will make us happy anyway–giving ourselves totally to Him.
The God who bled and died for you is not angry over your shortcomings! But He is saddened by your lack of trust. The only thing standing between you and Him is yourself. Let go! Let go of your fear. Let go of your disappointment. Let go of your self-flagellation. Make room instead for His grace and love.
Connie Rossini
Trusting God with St. Therese is now available in digital and paperback versions. Learn how to overcome your scruples and fears as Therese did. Let her help you trust in God and His goodness. You can enter to win a free signed copy here.
Theresa
Loving the book so far. I am taking my time with it.
That thought, “God is displeased with you.” plagues me…a lot. I am glad the Spirit led me to your writings.
Thanks for such consoling words!
Connie Rossini
You’re welcome, Theresa. God continues to teach me through that difficult incident in my life. I don’t believe we’ll find words like that in the New Testament.