not easy... but good.

Romans 2:4
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

When my conscience is pricked and I become aware of my sin through conviction, guilt, accusation or some other means, how do I respond? Do I react as if this awareness is a bad thing to be avoided, denied and suppressed? I know that it is not an easy experience to encounter my own sin, privately or publicly, however it is a good thing. Without such awareness I will never come to repentance and right-standing with God. It is His goodness, patience and grace that allows me to continue in my own way until I respond to this awareness, until I confront my sin and my sin nature. Furthermore, I should not take such an awareness lightly. Such conviction is not to be dismissed or tucked away for later contemplation. When I am convicted of sin, I should immediately repent, seek Christian support, take steps to avoid such sin in the future and respond with gratitude to God for opening my eyes and graciously guiding me to be changed. This process is not easy... but it is good.

Lord, open my eyes to my sin and let me be one to responds appropriately to conviction. Let me not take my sin lightly. Teach me to take decisive action against the sin in my life and fill me with gratitude when I do. Amen.