I
recently heard someone ask, "How can I forgive others when I can't forgive myself?" That question is troublesome because it’s laced with shame and
guilt. What makes it difficult to forgive oneself is a sense of unworthiness. Unrelenting
feelings of guilt and shame may produce behaviors that unintentionally cause damage
to a relationship.
Inadvertently
hurting or betraying someone and then saying their pain and suffering is
inconsequential inflicts additional pain that makes forgiveness more difficult.
Self-punishment is powered by the wrong belief that it will dissolve shame and
guilt. However, sincerely making amends or apologizing is God’s way to a clear
conscience.
Self-forgiveness
follows knowing and accepting the cleansing power of God's forgiveness. God's
forgiveness is available to anyone who turns to Christ Jesus in faith confessing
their sins and behaviors that separated them from fellowship with God and
others. Committing to these steps will make it possible for you to forgive
yourself and others.
________________________
If we confess our
sins, He is to be depended on, since He is just, to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from every wrong.
~1 John 1:9 Williams
– New Testament in the Language of the People
So let us come
near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been
purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. Let
us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his
promise.
~Hebrews 10:22-23 Good
News Bible
No comments:
Post a Comment