| Grace for Yourself How Do You Speak to Yourself When You Get It Wrong? Think about the last time something didn't go the way you planned. Maybe it was a failed hairstyle, a day when time got away from you, or the same mistake you've made before. What was the first thing you said to yourself? For a lot of us, harsh words creep in. I've struggled with this myself. "Why can't you get it right?" "You suck sometimes." "What's wrong with me?" These are things we would never say to a friend, or even a stranger in most cases, yet we say them to ourselves without thinking twice. Correction and condemnation can look alike in the moment, but they point in different directions. Correction looks at what happened and asks what needs to change. Condemnation attacks your identity, making you feel as though something is wrong with who you are. Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. And Hebrews 12:6 tells us that the Lord disciplines those He loves. God's correction comes from love, and that's a good model for how we should approach our own shortcomings. Notice I said correct, not condemn. | "Fix the problem. Be kind to the person." | The next time you catch yourself being overly critical, ask what you would say to someone you love in the same situation. Then extend that same grace to yourself. Challenge those negative thoughts and replace them with the truth of what God says about you. It's something we can continue practicing as we renew our minds in Christ. Something I've Been Considering This is one of the reasons I've been thinking about creating a very special something called, The Faithful Strand Circle. It will be a small, faith-centered group where women can connect, encourage one another, and grow together. Over four weekly gatherings, we’ll spend time in God’s Word with teaching you can apply to everyday life, open discussion, and prayer. Every participant will receive a spiritual growth guide that we’ll work through together. I'm considering limiting this to just a small group of women, but before I put everything together, I'd love to know whether this is something you'd genuinely consider joining. | 
