My Forgiveness ListNäide

Forgiving Ourselves

I drove recklessly, weaving through traffic, desperate to reach my mother as cancer stole her away. I arrived just as she took her last breath, her hand still warm in mine. She had faced her illness with courage, urging us to pray and trust God, but I was consumed by anger at the doctors for their vague answers, at family secrets that kept me in the dark, and at myself for not seeing the signs sooner. After she passed, guilt became my shadow: Could I have saved her if I’d acted faster? Her faith never wavered, yet I blamed myself for missing moments I couldn’t reclaim. Over time, I learned forgiveness wasn’t just for others but for myself, a way to release the regret and honor her peace. Forgiving myself meant trusting God’s timing, not carrying the weight of my perceived failures.

I know the sting of “what if” moments, where I replay choices, convinced I could have done more or been better. Guilt traps me, whispering that I’m to blame for things beyond my control. I couldn’t stop my mother’s illness, but I could stop punishing myself for it. Forgiveness of self is a gift God offers, a chance to let go of shame and step into His grace. It’s not about ignoring my mistakes; it’s about trusting that He holds my days, even the ones that break my heart. When I forgive myself, I reflect His mercy, finding peace in His greater plan. Like my mother’s steady faith, God calls me to rest in Him, knowing my worth isn’t tied to my regrets but to His unending love. Each day, I choose to live in that truth, free from the chains of guilt.