Conviction and Condemnation

I am feeling pretty beaten up, and not just because I did my first 5k yesterday. I have always said that if something I do bothers someone, I want them to tell me so I don't keep doing harm. Well, the Lord has put it on three people's hearts in the last month to tell me that, while they know I don't mean it that way, there are three things I've done lately that make it seem as though I think I'm better or more important than others.

Needless to say, I'm mortified. I didn't even realize I was doing these things, much less that they were coming across that way. I've talked multiple times here about how part of being saved is knowing without a doubt that you are a lowly sinner like everyone else and need Christ. So if anything I say or do has come across otherwise, please forgive me.

Fortunately, these three conversations had something in common: they came from people who care about me enough to help me be better. That's conviction. Had it come from people who wanted to tear me down and make me feel like a bad person, that would be condemnation.

I didn't used to know the difference. In the past, any criticism immediately sent me spiraling, feeling like the worst person in the world. I won't lie, it still doesn't feel great to have my uglier tendencies under a spotlight. And chances are I'll withdraw for a bit, feeling guilty and embarassed. But now I use those loving admonitions to better myself and be more aware of how I impact others.

So if you see something in me that needs addressimg, let me know. As nicely as possible.