8 things the Atonement is not...

The Atonement is not because we are good but because God and Christ are good.
         They love us not because we are always loveable, but because They are always loving.  Understanding this helps us feel Their love even when we don't see any reason to love ourselves.  "I'll never do it again," we say.  Then we do it.  "Now I really mean it.  I will never do it again."  And then we do it.  At such low moments, it is easy to become discouraged and lose help.  We have such a hard time forgiving ourselves that we mistakenly believe God and Christ must be feeling the same way.  We think each setback is devastating, but God and Christ simply recognize them as growing pains.
         Jesus suffered for our sins---plural.  That means multiple sins, but that also means multiple times we commit the same sin as we learn how to break bad habits once and for all.  "ever again" may be the ultimate goal, but in the meantime we can set more realistic milestones to reach along the way.  Each time we repent and start again, we are one step closer to our ultimate goal--usually much closer than we think.  The love of God and Jesus is perfect---offered consistently through our moments of great success or utter failure.  Although we often want to give up on ourselves, God and Jesus will never give up on us.  Their hearts simply cannot and will not let go.