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What God Removes, the Enemy Tries to Repeat
When guilt shows up in your quiet time, this is what God says | Mid Story Midweek
Jared Dean
August 03, 2025
Hey friends,
I’m writing from a hockey trip I’m on with my dad and brother. I’m playing in the tournament this time — but even in the middle of rest, God has been speaking.
Right before I left, a friend texted me:
“Psalm 103 made me think of you today.”
I read the text, but didn’t look up the Psalm or anything about it. So the algorithm didn’t have a chance to know that verse was on my heart. A message from Louie Giglio on Psalm 103 showed up in my feed, and I knew God was trying to get my attention.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
(Psalm 103:12)
Then Louie said something that made me say “Amen” out loud:
“Sometimes the enemy doesn’t tempt you to sin —
he shows up in your quiet time to shame you out of communion with God.”
How true is that?
We remember what we did 20 minutes ago… or 20 years ago…
And suddenly we don’t feel worthy to read the Word or speak for Jesus.
But the gospel says something else:
“There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.”
(Romans 8:1)
“He canceled the record of our debt… nailing it to the cross.”
(Colossians 2:14)
Repentance in the Middle of the Story
This isn’t about ignoring sin or pretending the struggle doesn’t matter, nor an encouragement or affirmation in sin.
Repentance still matters.
But it’s not about perfection — it’s about direction.
It’s a posture of turning back to God, even in the middle of the mess. We’re reminded in scripture:
1 John 1:9 (ESV):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Grace doesn’t excuse sin — it invites you home. Ask yourself today, what might be causing me to think those thoughts or act in undesirable ways? And do I know that God still desires me?
This is the heartbeat of Mid Story Ministries:
You are still covered.
Still called.
Even in the middle of your story.
That’s the message I’m holding onto — and building on — even while away, right in the middle of my story.
Thanks for walking with me, and thanks for being here.
—Jared
The Message
This is the message from Louie Giglio (linked below) about how the enemy is cunning. He doesn’t always tempt us to sin; he may try to shame us out of intimacy with God. Oppressing us and stifling us in our calling. You can watch the full sermon here — I highly recommend it.
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