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For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.~ 2 Peter 1:9
I remember walking along the beach behind my wife, on my birthday, and noticing how the sand underneath her feet would shift, leaving her footprints. As we continued to walk the coastline, the crashing waves would consume the shore, wiping away her footprints leaving no evidence of her being there. Then, I thought to myself,
“Isn’t that an awesome picture of forgiveness?”
When God forgives us, it is like the ocean, wiping away the footprints of our sins. It does not matter how many times we make a mistake, it does not matter how many times we blow it; God is permanently ready to accept us with open, loving arms and wipe away the error of our ways.
However, for some reason, we like to hold onto the memories of those past sins and we have a difficult time forgiving ourselves. Have you forgiven yourself for all the mistakes you made?
When one of the teachers of the law asked Jesus about which commandment was the most important, Jesus responded,
“The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
Let us focus on the part that says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” When we look more carefully at what Jesus said, we notice that He said, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” not “then yourself.” Jesus is calling us to love ourselves to the same degree as loving others.
Many ask, “Isn’t that being selfish?” But how can loving yourself be selfish if we are directed by Jesus to do so? By forgiving yourself, you are giving yourself permission to grow and develop. You are allowing Jesus to do a mighty work within you. Truthfully, it is all about balance!
Sometimes the toughest person for you to forgive is the individual you see in the mirror. I understand you have been upset at yourself for past failures and choices. And I even understand there are moments when you feel ashamed and guilty. But realize that the way you feel about yourself is not how God feels about you. Don’t let who you were yesterday interfere with who God has called you to become!
Forgive yourself for all the cruel, heartless, and nasty things you have thought about yourself. Remember, you are God’s masterpiece!
It is time for you to forgive yourself; it’s time for you to let it go. You have come to Jesus and repented; it is time for you to let it go. The pain from last year, it’s time for you to let it go. Your past has already taken too much from you; it’s time for you to let it go. Stop letting yesterday steal your future; it’s time for you to let it go.
By not letting go and not forgiving yourself, you are denying the work Jesus accomplished for you on the cross! If your sins are forgiven, then you need to see yourself separated from your mistakes.
The same standards of kindness and compassion you show to others are what you need to show yourself. Take the failures of your past and turn it into something great. It is time for you to receive God’s wonderful bliss and love. Put your energy towards bettering your life and starting something new. You will experience the breakthrough when you take a step of faith, when you embrace His love, and when you forgive yourself!
Cream and Sugar...
Say this Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Today I understand that there is nothing to gain by not forgiving myself. I want to move forward and fulfill my purpose in life. Because Jesus died for my sins, I have decided to no longer be angry with myself. Thank you for loving me and for Your grace. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 10
