Self Forgiveness

Some people have read my story and told me how much courage I must have to be able to share my story and expose my past mistakes in such an open forum as a blog.  I suppose I have finally submitted to what I feel the Lord has revealed His will and purpose is for me. So I will do what I can do and leave it to Him to take care of the things that I cannot do.  Joyce Myer says, "Sometimes you just have to do it afraid."  I don't feel afraid.  I've finally forgiven myself and realize that there is only one judgment that matters.  I'm reminded of a book our oldest daughter, Holly gave me for my birthday one year titled "If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat".  I guess I'm finally stepping out of the boat. 

When we accept the Lord as our personal savior He forgives us of all our past sins.  The Bible tells us that sin is sin and no sin is greater than another.  It also tells us that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  When we are forgiven the Lord doesn't hold onto our sins to bring them up the next time we make a mistake.  He lets them go.  John 8:36 "So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free." Yet so often we tend to hold onto the guilt, shame and fear associated with the sins from our pasts that God has forgiven.  We carry them around like excess baggage, an anchor around our necks letting them hold us down and hold us back.  All too often people try to judge us because of our past mistakes and we allow their judgment and condemnation to affect the way we view ourselves.  None of us are the same people we were twenty years ago, ten years ago or for that matter even yesterday.  Each day presents new opportunities for us to learn, grow and change.  It's not my job to judge others, that's the Lord's job and I certainly am NOT qualified for that task.  When the Lord forgives us, He lets our sins go.  When we accept His forgiveness we also need to forgive ourselves and let go of the self-condemnation of our past mistakes.  Using my past mistakes as experience to relate to others and reach out to them to let them know no sin is too great for God's love and forgiveness is really quiet liberating.  Ah, John 8:36 just told us that.  Self-forgiveness is so important.