Do Yourself A Favor…

I was thinking about this journey to forgiveness that I’m on. Yes, I’m still calling it a “journey.” Mainly because it is. That and the fact that in my journey, I’ve hit a lot of bumps, pot holes, snags, and detours. I began to wonder what had happened. Where did I make a wrong turn? Why don’t I feel like I did when God first took all that from me? Why am I not doing nearly as well as I was when I was first healed? Did I have a relapse? No. I’m having LIFE. Plain and simple.

Being Forgiven Doesn’t Mean Easier

Did I think everything was going to be sunshine and roses after God set me straight and nudged me in the direction I was supposed to go? Maybe. I’m not sure what I thought. I guess I thought that things would be easier.

Just because we’re forgiven, doesn’t mean things get easier.

It doesn’t mean things go back to the way they were, either. Because often times they get harder. We just have the ability to handle them better, that’s all. And yes, quite often we will run into someone, or several someone’s, who won’t understand us. Nor will they want to hear us, or hear our story. And not everyone’s “forgiveness” story is the same.

Watch Out For Enemy Attack

It’s also a time when the enemy sees an opportunity to bring back up certain things in our past that caused us great shame. False conversations arise. False situations. All of them using something in our past that makes us step back and wonder. One of my problems is forgiving myself. But here’s something I learned in a devotion that actually opened my eyes and caused me to take notice.

It’s that whole “I can’t forgive myself” attitude. Do you realize that in taking that attitude, you are basically telling God that Jesus’ death on the cross was not enough! Ouch! How prideful and arrogant we are to take that attitude. Because in Psalm103:12 it says,

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

If I’m not mistaken, the east and west never meet.

Do Yourself A Favor…

Here’s another tid-bit of information for you. Author and Bible study teacher Kay Arthur said, “The idea of forgiving ourselves cannot be found anywhere in the Bible.” It’s not in there. If we sincerely ask God to forgive us, then He does. Period. It’s gone. Wiped away. The slate is clean. Why then do we pick it back up and waller it around and stew over it?

So, in this journey to forgiveness, it’s not just about forgiving others. It’s also about believing that when we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, He does. They’re gone! They’re not coming back. We need to get over ourselves and get back on track and focus on the truth of what His Word says.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ~ 1 John 1:9

Jesus forgives you…so do yourself a favor and forgive yourself.

What do you need to let go of?

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.