I've noticed something about myself recently.
Whenever I make a mistake, I find it easier to believe that God has forgiven me than to believe that I should forgive myself.
I don't know if anyone else struggles with this, but I do.
There are things I've done that I still think about sometimes. Nothing dramatic, just moments where I wish I had made a better decision or spoken differently. Even after praying about them, those memories still come back once in a while.
A few days ago, I was reading about Peter. I know I've read his story before, but this time it felt different.
Peter denied Jesus three times. Imagine how he must have felt after that. If I were in his shoes, I honestly don't know how I would have faced Jesus again.
But what amazed me wasn't Peter's failure. It was Jesus' response.
When Jesus met Peter again, He didn't spend the conversation reminding him of what he had done wrong. Instead, He gave him another chance. He trusted him with responsibility.
That really made me stop and think.
How many times do I keep bringing up things that God has already forgiven?
Sometimes I feel like I'm carrying guilt that God has already asked me to let go of.
I'm not saying we should ignore our mistakes. If we've done wrong, we should admit it, repent, and try to do better. But living in regret forever isn't the same thing as growing.
Romans 8:1 says,
«"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."»
I've read that verse many times, but I think I'm only beginning to understand it.
Maybe God isn't waiting for me to punish myself. Maybe He's waiting for me to accept His forgiveness and keep moving.
I'm still learning how to do that.
And if you're someone who keeps replaying old mistakes in your mind like I sometimes do, I hope you remember this too: God's grace is bigger than your worst day.
That's something I'm trying to believe a little more every day.
God bless you all. Amen✨
Image is AI is not mine
