Everyone
experiences inner conflict. Recently a young woman identified two conflicting
voices within her head. One voice was screaming, “You’re ugly, inferior, and
unlovable!” The other side countered, “You’re smart, pretty, and lovable.” When
the negative voice became dominant, she felt depressed and wanted to escape the
pain.
While most inner
conflicts do not produce extreme turmoil, lack of self-acceptance causes grief
and sadness. Inner conflict distorts the true self, prohibiting the expression
of trust and love for self and others. Fear of criticism often parallels self-condemnation.
Internal conflict may diminish feeling the flow of love from God and others.
Job remarked to his friends, “Even if I were innocent,
my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.” The
good news for those who trust Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord is that freedom
from guilt and shame exists through his forgiveness and cleansing. Restoration
of souls is God’s business.
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