Forgiving someone who has hurt, harmed, or betrayed you is one of the most difficult things to do. It’s even more difficult when the person you need to forgive is yourself. We struggle to look away from our tainted past of sin and regrets. We struggle to live in the true freedom of Christ.
But if God has forgiven us, then we should forgive ourselves too. Isaiah 1:18 tells us: “‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.’” (ESV)
As Christians, we are taught to forgive those who offend us and to take care of “the least of these,” but sometimes we forget we are the offender. We are also “the least of these” in need of our own forgiveness. I want to encourage you today to extend to yourself the same grace you give others. Forgive yourself by resting in the grace God has lavished on you.
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my sins. Thank You for Your forgiveness, and please strengthen me to forgive myself. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.