29: 6 Steps to Breaking Free From Self-Condemnation

One of the things I’ve struggled with as a writer is self-condemnation. I’m not a Type A person who is capable of getting a lot done each day, but for some reason I expect myself to be. When I fail to live up to my unrealistic expectations for work, I often slip into self-condemnation mode. This gets in the way of growing and becoming a more productive person because I’m too busy beating myself up! If  you struggle with self-condemnation like I do, today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast will help. Click here to find out how to listen to the podcast. We’ll be talking about 6 steps to breaking free from self-condemnation and then we’ll use the self-condemnation questions and Bible verses from I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat) and the Renewing of the Mind Project to renew our minds together. Here are the steps we’ll be discussing: 6 Steps to Breaking Free from Self-Condemnation * Learn to recognize when you’re condemning yourself. Look for it on days of failure. * Recognize that growth is a process. It takes time, and you’ll never be perfect. * Hold your goal with open hands. Don’t make it an idol. * Remember that God is in charge of growth. We have a responsibility to renew our minds and look for practical things we can do to change, but we can’t control how quickly growth happens. That’s up to God. When we realize that we’ll be less likely to condemn ourself and trust in God to change us in His time. * Walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. We’ll talk about what that looks like on the podcast. * Be faithful to renew your mind whenever you catch yourself condemning yourself. We’ll do that together on the podcasts. Here are the questions and Bible verses we’ll be using from I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat): Self-Condemnation Journaling Questions Why do you think you’re a failure (terrible person, bad Christian, etc.)? Does that really make you a failure (terrible person/bad Christian, etc.)? Why or why not? * Whose standards are you using to determine whether or not you’re acceptable? What does God think of those standards? How does God feel about you? (See insecurity verses for ideas.) God is not a condemning perfectionist parent. He’s a loving Father who says, “Come to me, my beloved, and let me help.” In what areas do you need help? Take some time to ask Him to help you with those areas. Is there anything you need to accept? Is there anything God wants you to do? What can you thank God for in this situation? * If you’re having a hard time answering this question, look through the insecurity verses and think about grace. If you’re going the bad Christian route, think about the life of David and Romans 3:23. Self-Condemnation Bible Verses Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. Psalm 145:8, 14 The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. Psalm 147:2-3 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious t...