Learning to Find Grace for Myself

I don't know about you, but when I slip up and do something (giving into this temptation or that one) that I know is not in line with God's call on my life, I have the absolutely hardest time finding the grace for myself to forgive myself and move on. Even when I have confessed my sin to the Lord, repented, and received His glorious grace, mercy, and forgiveness, I have a hard time giving it to myself. The enemy works on this weakness in so many ways, tormenting me with how I have mucked it all up yet again, telling me that I am unworthy of His love, of all the godly friends in my life, and just all my blessings in general.

So, the question is, how do I move on, tell satan to go take a hike, and just forgive myself? I can forgive others for their transgressions -- so why can't I do the same for myself?

The answer is in God's Word, in many different places, stated in many different ways. Letting His Words for me sink deep into my soul...to not just memorize them, but to meditate on them and know them in my very heart of hearts, it's then when true forgiveness and grace begins.

There are so many passages in Scripture that are there to comfort us and release us from the captivity of regret. Here are just a few:

"But the LORD says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! I will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there." Isaiah 43:18 - 19

"Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above." Philippians 3:13- 14

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

May you find the blessing in being a new creation in Christ, K

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