Circuit Thoughts

Christians are supposed to be in the forgiving business. When we read Matthew 6:14-15, we get a pretty strong indication of how important forgiveness is. Keep in mind, this passage is directly after the Lord’s Prayer, “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But, if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing. “That is pretty much on point.

I know, sometimes it’s hard to forgive. Many of us have been through some super tough times. The perpetrators of the wrongs against us are tough to forgive. Still, that is how healing happens, it starts with forgiveness.

However, it has been my experience that in all the wrongs that have been perpetrated against me, there is always one person I have the most trouble forgiving. I mean, I’ve forgiven the bullies in my life, the bad bosses, the poor teachers and even the NFL for moving the Rams out of St. Louis. (Yeah, that was a tough one. Thank goodness for Kansas City.)

But in all of that, there has been one person I just cannot seem to forgive, in fact I get so angry with him all I remember is the wrongs he has done. If you haven’t figured it out, I’m talking about myself.

Self-forgiveness is probably the toughest thing we can do. Even after God has forgiven us and washed away whatever sin we may have, we still hold onto the memory. That sin is later used against us in our doubts and fears. For some reason forgiving ourselves is the toughest of all.

But, my friends, there is no sin in your life that is unforgivable. Quite frankly, if God forgives, then we need to be able to forgive also. It isn’t about worthiness; it is about love. We need not go around disliking and being angry with what God sees as beautiful and loving. We are created in the image of God, thus there is something worthwhile in us. We need to stop the rhetoric of disappointment in our minds.

I guess I’m asking you, and myself, to give yourself a break. You are loved, you are blessed. You are not unforgivable; Christ has proven that over and over. So, stop holding the grudge that you have against yourself. It’s not worth it.

If you are having problems with letting go, talk to a friend or your pastor. Find someone to pray with and seek assurance of your forgiven status. Look to the cross, that should be enough. The Bible has many, many passages relating to our worth in God’s eyes. Read them.

Then, go to church, and let others know they are loved. Many people hurt because they have not forgiven themselves. Encourage them, guide them, walk with them.

We are made with purpose and joy. God made us in His image, so we are not bad. Stop listening to the voice that says otherwise, and start forgiving yourself.

Just a thought.

Shalom my friends. See you in church.