Forgiveness: Part Two

I want to hand you a lifeline of grace today.
Here it is wrapped in a shiny bow from me to you:
IT'S OK TO FORGIVE YOURSELF. 


We ALL have a past.
We ALL have made mistakes.
We ALL wish a situation turned out differently.


If you really think about what I just said, you should feel relieved.
Relieved that you're not the only one  who's done something she regrets.

We're all human and imperfect!
Every single one of us needs a Saviour to rescue us. 

2 ""

Psalm 40:2-3-

"He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.

He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along."

Thank You Jesus!
Now that I realize this truth, I am free to forgive myself!

We have to be willing to let it go.
Whatever IT is.
The thing that has been gnawing at you all these years.

There is no guilt or shame in forgiving yourself. 
Don't let anyone convince you to stay stuck in that place.
You are imprisoning yourself when you do. 

Galatians 5:1-

"Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! 

Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you."

Can I tell you something, ladies?
When we don't forgive ourselves, our whole identity is compromised.

We don't believe what God says about us.....
That we're beautiful (Song of Solomon 4:7)
And wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
And radiant (Psalm 34:5)
That we're captivating (Song of Solomon 4:9)

We can't see ourselves the way Christ does if we are looking at all our flaws!

When we focus on what we did wrong

 then we're not focused on the only One who did it all right.

When we look at the bad choices we made 

then we've taken our eyes off the One who is the best choice!

Let me encourage you today with the lyrics 

from the song "Forgive Yourself" by Downhere.

( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvCHuuxxWgE )

You keep laying down $100 bills

On the counter of your untamed guilt

And you'll keep paying out from your empty purse

Until you feel you've satisfied your curse

No one here is throwing stones

But you have got to drop your own

Forgive yourself, forgive yourself

Anyone who bears a scar wants to forget it

Forgive yourself, forgive yourself

Nothing ever frees you more than just believing

That you've been forgiven, come out of the prison

Can you tell me how you spend every day

Looking in the mirror of your shame

And staring like a judge, you are ruling for yourself

You tied a stone around your neck

You're drowning in a past regret

Don't believe it's okay to be like this

Don't believe you deserve to live like this

'Cause every part of you wants to know

Just one reason why you should let go

Forgive yourself, forgive yourself

Nothing ever frees you more than just believing

Come out of the prison

You've been delivered.

Let's drop our baggage today.

I'll do it with you.

 

Take a deep breath in....now, breathe out and LET IT GO.