Overcoming Mistakes and Growing in Grace

Character building is a progressive work that requires patience with oneself, as the Lord does not cast us off when we stumble or make mistakes while seeking to grow in graceSC 64.1+1. While we should feel a healthy sense of self-reproach for our wrongs to lead us to repentance, we must not sink into despair or let these failures shorn us of our strength, for Christ is our advocate and His heart of infinite tenderness yearns to restore us 1 John 2:121MR 429.2+1. It is important to distinguish between a praiseworthy discontent with our current attainments that urges us toward improvement and a sinful fretting or over-sensitivity that results in discouragement21MR 429.2+1. True progress involves learning from the things we suffer and correcting our defects, but always while trusting in the power of our Redeemer rather than our own finite strengthSpM 233.5+1.

There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been ...— SC 64.1 (1892)

Jesus loves you.... His great heart of infinite tenderness yearns over you.... You may stand where you regard yourself, not as a failure, but as a conqueror, in and through the uplifting influence of the Spirit of God. Take hold of the hand of Christ, and ...— CT 489.3 (1913)

Some natures cannot bear censure. This is the case with yourself, my brother. Nothing will make your heart so heavy and you so completely shorn of your strength, whether you think you deserve it or not. If you do merit any reproof, then almost any movement in ...— 21MR 429.2 (1993)

...men who have not borne the heavy burdens and responsibilities. Disappointment is a great trial, but Christian love can turn the defeat to victory. Reverses will teach caution. We learn by the things we suffer. Thus we gain our experience— SpM 233.5 (1985)

...arisome toil and privation. It is a sin to be always discontented. That unrest and discontent which ends in fretting and complaining is sinful. But the discontent with one’s self, which urges on to more earnest effort for greater improv...— 2LtMs, Lt 16, 1872, par. 7 (1869)

Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in grace. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. Satan lives, and is active, and ever...— T08 47.1 (1862)

God has called human agencies to be laborers together with him in the work of salvation; and shall we who are ourselves subject to temptation and error, censure and blame others who have been so unfortunate as to make mistakes? Shall we not rather become so transformed by the grace of God as to become compassionate, touched ...— PH008 8.3 (1900)