“He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:9-12
There has been a lot of teaching on forgiveness in our homes, schools and churches. However, I believe the subject of forgiving yourself sometimes gets pushed aside. We are taught that in order to be able to care for someone else, we must take care of ourselves first. 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 that 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.
Lord, You know what I am struggling with. You know that I can’t seem to put this sin behind me. Help me to fully accept your love and forgiveness. Help me see myself through Your eyes. Amen.
1 John 1:9; Acts 3:19; Luke 7:47
Raelyn Pracht 