Happy Wednesday Friends!
GOD has already told us in his word that when we confess our sins to him, he forgives us of our sins. However, I found myself holding on to the guilt and shame of the recent confession and repentance I asked for from GOD. I have already been released from the sin but I would continue to beat myself up about the decision I made and how I can truly be a child of GOD. We hear and learn in GOD’s word that we should forgive others as GOD has forgiven us (Matthew 6:14-15). However, do we actually take the time to forgive ourselves of our sins, disobedience and wrong decisions? Do we continue to live with the guilt and shame?
I was dealing with this recently in my life. Some decisions that I made were not the best and I asked GOD to forgive me but I did not actually forgive myself. I felt that I was not worthy of forgiveness. How could I make these dumb decisions? Am I really a child of GOD? What does GOD think about me? All these questions bounced around in my mind. I had to realize that GOD created me and he knew that I would make mistakes.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13 it states, “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. GOD is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” GOD will always provide a way of escape. We only have to allow him to open that door for us instead of staying in the mess we created (the shame, the guilt and the unworthiness). That is where the enemy wants us to be and feel that there is no way out. He plays tricks on our mind to doubt what GOD has called us to be.
We all have sins we deal with in life but society tends to enhance what is considered to be the “worse or bigger sin”. Due to that belief, we continue to hide our sin or think it's not as bad as what other people have done. Comparing our sins to other people’s sin. Another person’s sin has been magnified but our sin is the one that no one notices so we continue in it. Even with the daily guilt or shame we feel, we think we have the strength alone to stop at any time. But remember it says GOD provides a way of escape. He is the only one that can truly deliver us from our sins but first we have to admit our sin to GOD and even to ourselves. Repent. Confess. Ask for forgiveness from GOD. Forgive ourselves. Evaluate how we got into this situation/sin. What things or people have to be eliminated. Ask forgiveness from anyone who may have been affected and hurt by your sins and actions. Also what can you do differently from this day forward.
Trust me, it takes work and it will take time but forgiving yourself for the sins you committed and the consequences that resulted due to your actions is so important. Release it so you can receive the peace that only GOD gives and also do the work it will take to be the person GOD wants you to be and wanted you to be all along!
Scriptures to meditate on this week
1 John 1:9 - “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Colossians 1:13-14 - “ He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Psalm 86:5 - “For you, O LORD, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”
