I Forgive Me

Recently I've been dealing with a new aspect of the battle in being a follower of Christ and I felt led to share. So along the road I've made some mistakes and poor decisions, I know, you are utterly shocked by that, but yes it is true. With that God has been faithful and His Word reigned and forgiveness was there waiting for me. Psalm 103:10-12 tells us that He doesn't treat us as we deserve and that our sins are cast as far as the east is to the west (see Psalm 103:10-12) but knowing this promise there is still a hurdle that we must overcome when we fall down. We must learn to forgive ourselves.

I've dealt with so much guilt and shame from past decisions and the funny thing is I KNOW that I am right-standing with God but it's my mind where the attacks come. I find thoughts that just pop into my mind that thrust me right back into the mess that I put myself in and the guilt and shame come flooding back. So how do we fight against this? Well, first and foremost we can't do it on our own. We have to get completely honest and transparent and ask God to show us how to forgive ourselves, get in the Bible, and just release the past into the past and into God's hands.

I can hear you all now, "Yeah, easy for you to say you don't know where I've been and what I've done." Very true I don't know that but I know it's all the same in God's eyes, sin is sin and one is not greater than the other. A white lie holds the same weight as adultery. It's all the same. The key is that when the Holy Spirit reveals sin in our own lives that we repent; the definition of the word repent is: feeling of such regret for past conduct as to change one's mind regarding it. Once we have done this, and this is between you and God, then it's time to ask Him to help you forgive yourself and for some this might be instant and others it may be a process. For me it has been a process and one that I continue to walk out with God's help on a daily basis. Forgiveness from God is there and is something that He will freely give; however, we need to allow Him work in us and show us how to forgive ourselves if we are to be all that He has called us to be.

Take Care & God Bless,

-E