What Would Jesus Say?

I was reading in 1st Corinthians and was greatly encouraged, and wanted to share this with whoever might come across this post. I was feeling a little discouraged one day. I was very much aware of my failings and weaknesses. You know what I mean. I was thinking about mistakes and doing the should have, could have, would have routine.  Although I don't normally do that to myself, this particular day I was fully engaged in it. So I decided enough of this and sat down with my Bible to read and pray myself out of that frame of mind. I started at chapter one in 1 Corinthians and as I read I was immediately lifted out of that circle of hurtful thoughts.
It struck me that these Christians at Corinth were a group beset by all types of failings and confusion and deliberate sins that they were involved in. They were misusing the gifts of God's Spirit and had all manner of weirdness going on rather than the proper functioning of His Holy Spirit.
So Paul wrote this letter to correct them and provide some guidance. What struck me however, was the way he began his letter. He began with thankfulness to God for these believers. With all the troubles that filled that church Paul was thankful and let them know of his gratitude for them. He reminded them of who they really were in Christ, in spite of the problems and failings that plagued them at this moment. He told them of the grace of God concerning them, he told them they were enriched in Him in every way. They are blessed in all speech, all knowledge, the testimony they have is still valid and confirmed.
He tells these Corinthian saints that they do not lack any gift, but are full of God's Spirit and are waiting with  a Godly eagerness for the return of Jesus. He told them plainly that the God who called them to salvation will confirm them to the end and count them blameless when that great day of judgement comes.
I was greatly relieved as I read these words. This was written to a church with just about everything that could go wrong in a church was happening, yet Paul reminds them not of their failings, but of the grace and salvation of God in Jesus Christ. No need for them to think would have, should have, could have, but rather a gentle reminder of what Jesus has done for them, and who they really are because of that work.
So today if your in that condemnation mode, don't be. Be reminded of what Jesus says of you, not yourself or the enemy. In spite of our failings and undeserving condition, Jesus has had mercy and has enriched us with all things needful for salvation and progress in our faith. It was true for the Corinthians then, and is true for us today. This very day it is true for you child of God. We do make mistakes sure, and we do need to repent and get back on track. But in Christ, we have all we need to do so, and every available power from God to get out of despairing condemnation and into uplifting joy to perseverance and go forward. 
God bless you today. Keep looking up, and walk confidently in what Jesus says of you, not what you might feel like at this moment. He has done it, He will do it and keep us till that great day of glory and joy!