We've all done things in life that would be nice if we hadn't done. Often these things can cause us unhappiness as we think about them, while other things cause us such regret we are able to barely live with what we have done and we discover it difficult, if not impossible, to forgive ourselves for our actions. Perhaps you know what I'm saying. You are so shamed of your actions that you have done that you cannot comprehend you might or should forgive yourself. As an alternative you're feeling all you are able to do is spend the remainder of your life paying penance for it, in hopes that may remove the overpowering burden of guilt you live with every day.
Regardless of your past wrong-doing, you can be released from the burden you now carry, caused by your unwillingness to forgive yourself. You could have sought the forgiveness of God for what youve done, but if you have failed to forgive yourself, you may remain in a place of defeat, maybe bondage, until you decide to be obedient with the Word of God and pardon yourself.
Regularly when we glance at the original meaning and desire of of a word, we will be able to better know how to apply it to our lives. This is true as we glance at the Greek word for forgiveness which means to free fully, i.e. Literally relieve, release, dismiss or let die, pardon, divorce from, depart, dismiss, let go, loose, put ( send ) away, to release, set at liberty.
To anyone who may ask, God offers His gift of forgiveness, meaning; He totally frees, releases, dismisses and pardons us from the debt and guilt of our sin. He sets us "body, soul and spirit" at freedom. However, he does not quit there. Our Heavenly Father then tells us to forgive others, as well as forgiving ourselves, in the same way we've been forgiven, assuring us the ability, by His Spirit, to do so.
How do you go about actually forgiving him or herself? There's no exact way but these thoughts may be helpful.
First, understand that one has to make the choice to forgive ones self based on God's instruction to do so. Forgiveness is a choice and an act of the will is critical to cause it to happen.
Leviticus 19:18 claims you shall love your neighbour as yourself... Loving yourself is a command of Almighty God and love always carries with it forgiveness.
Next, if you have not already, ask your Heavenly Father to forgive you for the sins you've done. It is important to do that prior to working through forgiving yourself. Remember, He's waiting to pardon you and will graciously do therefore if you only ask Him.
Nehemiah 9:17 But you are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.
Then, sit down quietly with The Lord God and ask the Holy Spirit to show you the things that you haven't let go of or forgiven yourself for. Jot it all down on a notepad. Be sure and put down all of the specifics list the names of every person you hurt and the ways in which you hurt them. ( No one will see this paper. )
From there be honest and express how you feel due to what you did; Are you annoyed at yourself? Do you feel ashamed? Undeserving? Be very truthful, for God knows it all already. This is a good place to release all of the feelings youve carried or attempted to reject.
Now, make the decision to pardon yourself as God has forgiven you. Literally release, dismiss, let die, pardon, let go, loose, put ( send ) away, release and set yourself at liberty from the incorrect you are guilty of. Put your evil-doing into His hands and ask Him to cure your emotional injuries and enable you to move on without regrets, let go of the past and start fresh!
Eventually destroy your list and throw it in the trashcan as a visible memory jogger that the guilt of what youve done has been forgiven and carried away, gone for good.
Now, go and experience the healing, peace and freedom that's yours to enjoy as you praise God for His power of forgiveness.
To discover more about pursing an intimate relationship with God and discovering His love that will truly set you free click on: How To Forgive Yourself
To watch our video click on: How To Forgive Yourself
