Have you ever laid in bed at night thinking God is disappointed in you?
Have you ever thought "I messed up too bad. He's waiting to punish me"?
If you have, you're not alone. But this morning I need to tell you something:
You thought Jesus was mad at you. But He’s not. All Jesus has on His mind, is saving your soul, so you can live in heaven with Him.
HOW WE THINK IT ENDS
We think we end in terror. We think we end condemned. We think when we cross that threshold to eternity, God has a list of all our failures.
But let's stop right there for a moment- so you don't misunderstand. Jesus isn’t forgetful. Hebrews 4:13 — "all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him."
He knows everything. Every failure. Every sin. But He STILL LOVES YOU.
The difference is WHAT He does with them.
The enemy says: "He has a list and he’s going to beat you with it!"
Jesus says: "I have a list too... and I nailed it to the cross." Colossians 2:14
That’s what the enemy wants us to believe....that God is done with us, yet Jeremiah 29:11 says just the opposite...whom will you believe?:
Seems like a no-brainer to me. John 8:44 says — Satan is The Great Deceiver and Father of Lies.
His favorite lie? "God is mad. God is waiting to punish. God is far away. He'll never forgive you!"
HOW IT ACTUALLY ENDS FOR BELIEVERS
Jesus' Promise to Believers:
•We don't end in terror. We end in His arms. •We don't end condemned by sin. We end with our sins still covered by His blood. •The believer's life ends with God wrapping His arms around us in GRACE, not fear.
1 John 4:18 — "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..."
Perfect doesn’t mean flawless. It means mature. Complete. When we trust God's grace instead of our own perfection, anxiety and terror get driven out. Confidence and peace move in.
And Revelation 21:27 tells us "nothing unclean will ever enter it..." Why? Because if you're in Christ, you're already clean. Already covered. Already His.
BUT WHAT ABOUT TODAY?
Maybe you're thinking "that's for heaven. What about right now?"
2 Corinthians 6:2 — "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Why now? Because God isn’t waiting to punish you. He’s waiting with open arms to save you. That is His utmost desire. Today you can trust Him. Today you can rest in grace. Today. He turns no one away.
So I have to ask you... And you thought Jesus was mad at you? He's not. He's the One who said, "No one will ever care for you, as much as Me." Because there's no other friend so kind as He. No one else can take the sin and darkness from you.
Let’s pray: Father, Thank You that the moment we cross that threshold, we meet Your arms. Thank You that our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus. Drive out every lie, every fear, every accusation from Satan. Let us rest in Your perfect, mature love — the love that casts out fear. We choose GRACE this day. Not fear. Not shame. Just You. Amen.
I never thought either of them were mad at me. Too often it’s been the opposite. In my own admission of ignorance I get mad at their plan. They way it seems heartless and needlessly cruel to such a simple mind as mine. The way it’s ripped out my heart, torn it to pieces, only to be shoved back into my chest like a puzzle with pieces missing.
I’ve screamed, begged, cried and pleaded. I’ve condemned the plan and I’ve railed against the way.
Sometimes I think they understand and other times I don’t. Maybe that’s why in those times it just feels like they choose to ignore me?
Either way, I talk and sometimes I find an answer or a reply of some kind. Mostly I just wake up again the next day and try to be a better human.
Thank you for being so honest here. That took a lot of courage and I love that about you. I want you to know.... I hear you. Every word. The screaming, the begging, the pieces that feel missing... I hear you.
And more than that — Jesus hears you. He’s not mad at you for asking the hard questions. He's not mad at you at all. He made you and he understands you. I think he understands this more than we understand ourselves. I'm sure of it. He’s not distant when you’re mad at the plan. He sat in a garden and said “if there’s another way” too. He knows what it is to have His heart torn open.
Listen, to me, please. You are not alone in this. Many feel this way and it's Jesus that wants to comfort every one of us. Even on the days when it feels like no one answers, when you just wake up and try again — He’s right there with you in that. Loving you through the feelings of failure and tears. Loving you through the doubt. Loving you anyway.
I’m praying for you today, my friend. I hope that's okay with you. I love you. And I just want to save one thing. Jesus didn't just say he loves us. He proved it on the cross. He was willing to do anything to save us.
He will/wants to meet you in the missing pieces, and hold you together. That you’d feel, even just a little, that you’re seen. You’re not crazy for feeling this. You’re human. And you’re loved. ♥🫂 🙏
And HikingMan, just one more thing I want to tell you, please. You already have it. Right now. You don't have to beg God for His love. He already loves and accepts you exactly as you are right now. Broken pieces, failures, and all. When or if you’re ready to come to Him. Remember this old hymn? That was me, too, until I accepted Jesus as my Savior. He's the one place we can come as we are. No questions asked and no condemnation.
Just As I Am
Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot; To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt; Fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind; Yes, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
