“Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do about
the wrongs of yesterday. It is not yours to judge. Why hold on to the
very thing which keeps you from hope and love?”
~Leo Buscaglia (Author known as “Dr. Love”)
We all make mistakes.
We are only human after all.
There are minor mistakes that we make when we are children and teenagers that we like to call “learning experiences”. The consequences aren’t very high. We learn from those mistakes and move on with our life. No harm done.
Then there are mistakes we make that take a lifetime to get over. Mistakes that have major consequences for ourselves or others. Mistakes that hurt others unintentionally. Or that have great impact and we have to live with for the rest of our lives.
Whatever the mistake, great or small, sometimes it takes time to forgive ourselves. We may beat ourselves up over the situation. Dwelling on it. The mistake consumes us. We think it defines us. Forgiving others can be easier than forgiving ourselves. Why is that?
The big question is how do we accept the mistakes we have made in the past? How do we stop punishing ourselves and let go of our past mistakes? Where do we find hope and forgiveness?
The answer is actually simple if we know where to look. Forgiveness is a gift from God through Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us. God’s love is never limited by your past mistakes. Repent and the slate is wiped clean. Look what He did to Moses, a murderer. He turned Moses into a great and compassionate leader who lead the Israelites out of slavery. He can do the same for you.
1 Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those
whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Psalm 31:1-2 NLT
Paul said, “I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13 (NLT).
Is that what you have been doing? Or, have you been manipulated and controlled by your past mistakes or transgressions?
The key to letting go and forgiving yourself? Take Paul’s advice. Let it go. Give it all to God. Confess your sins, wrongdoings, and mistakes. He will forgive you, and you, in turn, can forgive yourself. You can stop living in the past and ultimately get on with living your future.
By Jeri Stunkard at Got2HaveFaith.
Leave a Comment
Amy says
This is such truth! I struggle with holding on and self-condeming. And yet, I know there is purpose, even in my mistakes. Amen!
jeri says
Thanks for commenting on my post. It’s true that we are the most hard on ourselves then anyone else…including God. We make mistakes and He loves and forgives us anyway.
Living the Balanced Life says
I am so bad at this as well! I have really struggled with pride and other issues this past year. God is defintitely still wokring on me! I need to allow Him to do the work and accept what He is making!
Bernice
What we REALLY want for Mothers Day
jeri says
Thanks for commenting on my post! We are all a work in progress. I guess the key is to more forward, not backward…you can’t grow if you’re stuck in the ground.
Chrissy says
Thank you for this encouragement, especially for sharing Philippians 3:13 with us today. That really hit home for me today.
God bless,
Chrissy
jeri says
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post. I am happy Philippians helped you today. Sometimes all we need is a few words from Him. I am blessed to have been the one who delivered it today.
Thoughts on forgiveness and letting go « have faith. everyday. says
[…] am happy to say I am a Daily Guest Blogger at {in}courage. Please join me today as I ponder the question of forgiveness and letting […]
Christan Perona says
Thank you so much for this post… your words were so timely in my life. I love how God works like that! His words – through you in cyberspace – to me, a woman you don’t even know. He is so faithful and does not abandon His people.
I love your thoughts about how God transformed a murderer into a compassionate leader. I’ve never thought of Moses that way.
May God use your honesty to reach many other women…
Christan
jeri (got2havefaith) says
Teri,
Isn’t it funny how He speaks to us when we least expect it? And just in time! I am happy He used me today to brighten your day. Bless you.
jeri (got2havefaith) says
Christan, Sorry, that reply above was meant for you… Enjoy your day!
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
Beautiful reminder of the GIFT of God’s grace & forgiveness.
Now…all these petty things I hold onto…can I let them go? Can I stop ‘marking’ my children, my husband with their past mistakes? Can I really let it go, and love them fresh, expecting the best, every new day?
Thanks, Jeri. I really need to ponder these things; I really need to let it go.
jeri (got2havefaith) says
Thanks Teri,
I agree. Why do we keep a score card on the ones we love? Why do we keep a score card on ourselves? I tell myself at least 10 times a day to let it go! Bless you.
Sara says
I think that facing them is what’s stopping me asking for forgiveness. To ask I have to voice and I’m scared to do that x
jeri (got2havefaith) says
Sara,
I get the fear. It’s always hard to face our fears. But I truly believe it’s the only way to move forward and have the life you want. I struggle with fears everyday. You are not alone on that one. Find your voice. You can do it. Trust in Him.