Soul Food, My Walk With God
Forgiveness.
Why is it so hard. Why is it so hard to FORGIVE YOURSELF.
God's Grace & Mercy covers us.
But why is it SO hard to forgive ourselves when we do something that we KNOW isn't in God's Will for our lives?
I promise it's the WORST feeling ever. We ask for forgivness, we KNOW that God has forgiven us and will remember our sins no more (Hebrews 10:17) But why can't we forgive ourselves? Why do we STILL feel that guilt.
When I say "WE" I mean "I".
When we do or say things out of the way, WHY can't WE let go and forget about it, accept God's forgiveness, be thankful for His Grace and Mercy and move on?
Here are a few things the bible says about forgiveness:
1 John 1:9 (King James Version)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 1:6-7 (King James Version)
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:12-14 (King James Version)
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
God sure does know how to keep you on your knees.
Not perfect but striving daily to be the woman that God wants me to be.
Shawnta/ 12.05.2011
Right on time! I so needed this reminder.
Victoria/ 12.05.2011
Girl, I definitely include myself in the “we” too because I’ve often struggled with the very same thing. I used to beat myself up for days. It’s hard to not to get caught up in our own “self righteousness”. We’re wired to believe that we get what we deserve, but that’s not the case when it concerns God’s love. His grace is “unmerited favor” so I’ll never do enough to deserve it anyway so I should just receive it for what it is (which I think takes time to really learn–even a lifetime). I heard it put this way by a Pastor—God accepted me (us) and he knew in advance all of the mistakes and problems that we would have but that didn’t stop him in any way. So my issue are “no surprise to God”. I do surprise myself alot of times! LOL! God doesn’t come to condemn (the enemy and us do that!) but he just convicts us so we can get on track–he never beats us up. Hey if your driving a car and accidentally drive a little off the road you shouldn’t have to stop your car and pull over and be overwhelmed and agonized by it. God doesn’t want us to be like that in our journey—if we get “a little off of the road” he just wants us to listen to the correction and help of the Holy Spirit, pray for guidance, and keep on driving. Ok,I know I’m long winded (sorry) but I’ll say this in closing. I’m really beginning to appreciate Phil 2:13 because I’m realizing that God puts his will in us to accomplish all that we should. When I stop looking at me and as you said stay on my knees before him then I see changes as I yield to his voice. But I don’t seek perfection in myself—I seek perfection which is translated “completion” in Him! He’s got everything I need. Such a great post!!!!!
Melanie/ 12.05.2011
And that’s all god wants is for us to at least try.
Buttahfly/ 12.05.2011
You forgot:
Psalm 103:11-13 (King James Version)
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
I can’t answer your question. However, sometimes I ask for forgiveness because I know I was wrong and that asking forgiveness is the right thing to do. But at the same time I also know that I’ll be committing the same sin again any minute now almost without remorse. It’s like I’m a robot. Committ sin, ask for forgiveness, get forgivness, committ sin….. So if you really really aren’t going to go there anymore leave that at the alter so to speak. Guilt from sin you’ve been forgiven of is like a lack of faith because guilt is you NOT believing that God will do what he said. Is that you? No? Prove it then. Let it go.
And I know I’m opening up a can of worms here, but for some reason I don’t think that men have this problem as much as women do.
You know how some women keep on forgiving those men who keep doing them wrong over and over? We (both men and women) are hurting God in the same fashion that men hurt us but we’ve been doing it all our adult lives. And we keep doing it because we know he forgives us.
But again. If this ain’t you, then let it go.
ShaBoogie/ 12.05.2011
I have a hard time forgiving myself when I do something I know I shouldn’t do..and I do it anyway. I convict myself over and over and over again… Thank God for his grace and mercy!
Carol/ 12.05.2011
I don’t have the answers either, but I have this same struggle. Just keep working on it every day.
TJ/ 13.05.2011
I think it is always way harder for me to forgive myself than anybody else. This was a really good post.
Leslie Harris/ 13.05.2011
Wow! Great Post. I don’t know why I have guilt over the thing that I know not to do I do it anyway….. I get the same result although I expect something different to happen…I ask for forgiveness and feel unworthy. I think I am not suppose to make the same mistake after 50+ years of living.. but I do. It’s phenominal, the love and mercy and grace God extends to us, I will never understand, but thank you for reminding me of the many promises God has given to reassure us that He is faithful to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness..That’s why the Lord is everything to me.
Carla/ 15.05.2011
amen! *sits down*
Melissa J Royster/ 15.05.2011
Such an awesome devotional
Elaray/ 16.05.2011
I’m so glad you posted this. I’m still beating myself up over things I did years ago. I just can’t forgive myself. It’s even hard to accept God’s forgiveness. I know His mercy endures forever. When I think about the things I can’t forgive myself for, it forces me to remember that God HAS forgiven me.