stumbles

In a chance conversation, an individual was beating themselves up about their not living up to their expectations in their walk with the Lord.

A bit of this is healthy. Humility and regular self examination is a good thing to make sure you are still on the right path. It is good to read 1st John and give yourself a spiritual check-up every now and again.

However, extreme guilt and punishing yourself to the point that you are not able to function is not a good thing.

Do you think you are something so special that you can somehow be perfect? Your in the same boat with everyone else on this. There was only one perfect man, and that was Jesus.

Imperfection is not an excuse, we need to repent of sin and do everything we can to follow Jesus and lead a holiness lifestyle.

At the same time, we can't let our stumbles and failings keep us from the work that God has for us.

When a believer stumbles and falls in the mud, the believer gets back up and rushes to get clean as quickly as possible.   Unbelievers fall in the mud and wallow in it.

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief Proverbs 24:16