“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12 (NIV)
Daily Meditation: Psalm 32, Colossians 1
“I forgive you” may be one of the most challenging English sentences to say—or to come to terms with if an apology never comes. It can be very difficult to forgive others when they have wronged us, and sometimes the hardest person for us to forgive is actually… ourselves. Instead of truly letting go, we replay things over and over in our minds, especially when it comes to self-forgiveness. As strange as it seems, it is often easier to forgive other people than to forgive ourselves. But God doesn’t want us to live in self-loathing and unforgiveness. If the God of the entire universe has forgiven us, why should we hold onto our debts and refuse to forgive? When Jesus taught us how to pray, saying “forgive us our debts, as also we have forgiven our debtors,” He was, among other things, making it plain that we need to forgive ourselves as well as others. The sad thing is that we usually don’t do it! We have in our hands the power to forgive ourselves, but often we simply refuse to accept that we can be forgiven. Granting forgiveness allows room for growth, freedom, and mercy. You have that power, so use it wisely, and forgive yourself. Forgiveness breaks the chains that bind you to a difficult person or painful situation. Set yourself free through forgiveness! Interestingly, the most loving, genuine, strong, and caring people I know are also the ones who know how to forgive themselves. I want that. Don’t you?
“There is no lasting joy in forgiveness if it doesn’t include forgiving yourself.” – R. T. Kendall
All forgiveness comes with a price tag of grace and mercy. Give yourself the same forgiveness that you give others. There is grace and mercy for you as well. We can forgive ourselves because He forgave us. Go on, forgive yourself. If God forgave you, you can too!
Let’s let 2019 be the year we grow closer to the Lord and become the fearless, strong, and faithful woman we are meant to be in Him! In Be Fearless, Julie Clinton provides a scripturally-sound guide for finding freedom, purpose, joy… and fearlessness. Be Fearless is now available in our store! https://www.aacc.net/product/be-fearless/ Consider working through Be Fearless with another extraordinary woman or group this year!
Julie Clinton, MAd, MBA, is president of Extraordinary Women and host of EWomen conferences all across America. She is the author of several books including A Woman’s Path to Emotional Freedom, 10 Things You Aren’t Telling Him, and Extraordinary Women. She is passionate about seeing women live out their dreams by finding their freedom in Christ. Julie and her husband, Tim, live in Virginia with their children, Megan and Zach.