Forgiving Yourself

Why did I do that? Why did I say that? They will never forgive me.

These are the words many of us wrestle with when we’ve made a mistake or hurt someone we love. In our guilt, we can feel overwhelmed, convinced that our failure is too great to be forgiven. Yet, in moments like these, it’s important to remember this incredible truth: Jesus Christ loved you so much that He died on the Cross for your sins, even in advance of you committing them! His gift wasn’t conditional on your perfection. It was conditional on your surrender and acceptance of it.

On the journey to healing and complete forgiveness, it would be hard not to take a day to address the unforgiveness we often harbor for ourselves. When we have made a big mistake–the life-changing kind, we can spend years beating ourselves up with pain, embarrassment, and shame. (And the enemy of our soul does a pretty good job of that, as well!) We replay what-ifs and could-be’s. But here’s the truth. We’ve all fallen short of God’s glory, according to Romans 3:23 NLT. The beauty of our relationship with the Lord lies in His gift of His son on the cross to cover that sin.

God's grace covers us. His forgiveness is available. The Bible tells us that He casts our sins "as far us as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12 NLT). However, despite this divine forgiveness, many of us struggle to forgive ourselves. We hold on to our mistakes, sometimes convincing ourselves that we're beyond redemption. It's time to let go of this burden. Forgiveness, both from God and us, is essential for healing and moving forward in complete freedom.

A Powerful Example: Peter’s Redemption

Consider the story of Peter. Before Jesus was crucified, Peter was eager to follow Him, promising that he would never deny his Lord. Yet, when faced with pressure and fear, Peter denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus had foretold. Can you imagine the devastation Peter must have felt later? Not only had he rejected the Messiah, but he had also betrayed his close friend. The Bible says Peter "wept bitterly" (Luke 22:62 NLT), indicating his profound sorrow and genuine repentance.

But here’s the remarkable part. After His resurrection, Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter. Instead, He forgave him. Jesus took the very man who had failed Him and restored him, giving him the responsibility to lead and grow the early church. Peter’s story is one of redemption, showing us that even in our deepest failures, God’s grace is greater. God didn’t define Peter by his mistakes; He defined him by His love.

This is the same grace that is available to you. Christ has already forgiven you; now, it’s time to forgive yourself and walk in the freedom He offers.

Points to Ponder:

• Do I genuinely believe that God's grace is enough to cover all my sins, even the ones I can't forgive myself for?
• How can I actively remind myself that my worth is defined by God’s love, not my mistakes?