Breaking Free: How 'But God' Can Stop Self-Condemnation

Two Words to Stop Self-Condemnation

Have you ever found yourself caught up in a spiral of self-condemnation? Do you struggle with feelings of inadequacy, shame, and guilt? If so, you are not alone. Many of us battle with these thoughts and emotions on a daily basis, and it can be exhausting and debilitating.

But what if I told you there were two simple words that could help you break free from this cycle of self-condemnation? Two words that could change the way you see yourself and the way you relate to God?

Those two words are:

But God.

When we are trapped in self-condemnation, it can feel like there is no way out. We believe the lies that we are not good enough, that we will never measure up, that we are beyond forgiveness and redemption. We are convinced that our failures and shortcomings define us and that there is no hope for change.

But God.

These two simple words remind us that there is always hope, there is always a way out. No matter how deep our sin and shame may be, no matter how far we have strayed from God, he is always there, ready and willing to forgive and restore us.

When we focus on our own inadequacies, we get stuck in a cycle of self-condemnation. But when we shift our focus to God's grace and mercy, we can break free from that cycle and find hope and healing.

But God, Who Is Rich in Mercy

The Bible is full of examples of God's mercy and forgiveness, even for the most sinful and undeserving of people. One of the most powerful examples is found in Ephesians 2:4-5:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

These verses remind us that God's mercy is not just a vague concept or a distant hope. It is a tangible reality that we can experience right now, in the midst of our sin and brokenness. We don't have to clean ourselves up or earn God's forgiveness. We just have to turn to him and receive the grace he freely offers.

When we meditate on these verses, we are reminded that our salvation is not a result of our own efforts or merit, but of God's mercy and love. We are saved by grace, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

This truth should be a source of great comfort and encouragement to us. No matter how far we have strayed from God, no matter how many times we have failed and fallen, we can always turn to him and find forgiveness and restoration.

But God, Who Shows His Love for Us

Another powerful example of God's mercy and love is found in Romans 5:8:

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

These words remind us that God's love is not conditional or based on our performance. He doesn't love us because we are good enough or because we have earned his favor. He loves us simply because he is love.

God's love is not something we have to work for or earn. It is freely given to us through Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in him, we are adopted into God's family and become his beloved children (Ephesians 1:5).

When we meditate on these verses, we are reminded that God's love is not something we have to strive for or achieve. It is already ours, simply because we belong to him. We don't have to earn his love or prove ourselves worthy of it. We just have to accept it and live in the light of it.

But God, Who Gives Us Victory

Another powerful example of God's mercy and love is found in 1 Corinthians 15:57:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

These words remind us that God is not just a distant, passive observer of our struggles and failures. He is an active participant in our lives, working to bring about our redemption and victory.

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin and death. We are set free to live new lives, filled with hope, joy, and purpose. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome our weaknesses and temptations and to live in a way that honors God.

When we meditate on these verses, we are reminded that God is not just interested in our salvation. He is interested in our whole lives, and he wants to give us the victory in every area. We don't have to live defeated lives, struggling with the same sins and weaknesses over and over again. We can live in the power of the Holy Spirit and experience true freedom and victory.

Conclusion

If you struggle with self-condemnation, I encourage you to meditate on these three passages and to remind yourself of these two simple words: But God.

When you feel overwhelmed by your sin and shame, remember that God is rich in mercy, that he shows his love for us while we were still sinners, and that he gives us victory through Jesus Christ.

When you feel like you are not enough, remember that God's grace is sufficient for you and that his power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

When you feel like you are beyond forgiveness and redemption, remember that God's love is greater than our sin and that he is always ready and willing to forgive and restore us.

So the next time you find yourself caught up in self-condemnation, remember these two simple words: But God. And let them be a source of hope, comfort, and encouragement to you.