As a Christian, forgiveness is a topic we hear a lot about. We listen to sermons on how God forgave us, we speak it in the Lord’s prayer, and we read about it in the Bible. Forgiveness from God and forgiving others is an abundant topic.
I believe there is an important piece that often gets overlooked – the subject of forgiving ourselves. We are taught that in order to be able to care for someone else, we must take care of ourselves first. In order to love others, we must first love ourselves. The same can be said of forgiveness. If we can’t forgive ourselves for things we have done, or perhaps hurt we have caused, then how can we truly forgive others?
The truth and the promise is God has removed our sins and our transgressions as far from the east is from the west. If He can forgive us, and not let our past come between Him and His love for us, then shouldn’t we do the same for ourselves?
What are you walking around with, deep inside, that you feel you can’t forgive yourself for? Shame…guilt…pain…..lift it up to Him who has forgiven you and believe. Your sins are forgiven by Him. Give yourself the same gift.
Raelyn Pracht 