There are so many people who cannot achieve spiritual or personal peace because they feel that they have done something wrong, often a long time ago, and they cannot let go of the guilt. Let's see if these three steps can help:
FORGIVE: If you feel that you have been wronged then forgive the other person. If the person is no longer in contact then forgive them in your heart - truly forgive them. If they are dead then let the matter rest. They are now face-to-face with God and know their part, as well as yours, in the situation that happened. Just forgive them in your heart and let go.
SEEK FORGIVENESS: If the person is still around, and you are in anyway at fault, seek forgiveness. Whether it is given or not; at least seek forgiveness from the one you have hurt. And also seek forgiveness from God. Provided your repentance is genuine; He will forgive you.
FORGIVE YOURSELF: Once you sought, and received, forgiveness from God; then forgive yourself. You'd be surprised how many people hold on to the guilt and feel that they have not been forgiven and they cannot forgive themselves. To behave this way is wrong, and it is a sin in the eyes of God. By not forgiving yourself you are in effect implying that your standard of forgiveness is higher than that of God. Or that perhaps He was wrong to have forgiven you. How do you think He feels about that? If God has forgiven you, then you MUST forgive yourself and move on.
Amen to all you have said here Victor, lack of forgiveness can be a destroyer. God bless.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda. God bless.
Delete...any idiot can start a war, peacemakers are needed to stop one.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless.
ReplyDeletewww.rkrsrue.blogspot.com
God bless, Regine.
Deleteone of the hardest things to do is to forgive yourself . good post Victor.
ReplyDeleteYes that's true, Shug. We must forgive ourselves in trust that God has forgiven us.
DeleteGod bless you.
"This hit me right in the heart. 💔 Guilt can be such a heavy chain, especially when it’s tied to the past. Your words remind me that forgiveness—especially self-forgiveness—isn’t a one-time act but a daily choice. 🌱 Have you found certain practices (like journaling or meditation) help loosen guilt’s grip? Sending this to a friend who needs it too. 🙏✨"
ReplyDeletePraying to God, earnestly and honestly, is always the answer.
DeleteGod bless.
Forgiving ourselves may be the most difficult thing of all - harder than math! But we must do so even if it takes a lifetime. Blessings, Victor!
ReplyDeleteAmen Martha. You are right.
DeleteGod bless you.
At times, I do have a tough time at the idea of forgiveness, But I am thankful that HE forgives. I am also thankful for the folks who have forgiven me for inattentional things as well as the unintended! Love you my brother...
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the Lord forgives us if we confess and are truly sorry for our sins. After that, we should learn to forgive ourselves ... and others.
DeleteGod bless, Jack.
Para poder perdonar a los demás, tenemos que empezar con nosotros mismos, un alma pura perdona.
ReplyDeleteBesos
TRANSLATION: To be able to forgive others, we must start with ourselves. A pure soul forgives.
DeleteKisses.
Yes, that's true Momentos. If we cannot forgive ourselves we may not be able to forgive others. God bless you.
I think it is something we have to work on all the time. I have someone very dear to me - that hurts me all the time - and will continue to hurt me - it's hard some times.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear your story, Sandie. I am praying for you. As best we can, we should distance ourselves from those who hurt us; and get professional advice if needed. Also, we should pray for those who hurt us. But our safety and well-being is paramount as well as those we love; and we should not let them be hurt.
DeleteGod bless.
Good points to remeber, thanks, Victor.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bill. God bless.
DeleteVictor, this is good counsel. For me, the hard part is when I have genuinely asked forgiveness from another but they have not said they forgive me. I have done studies on forgiveness, how to word it, how to be truly humble, accepting all the blame, and so forth.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord knows my heart, so I know I am forgiven by Him and therefore can forgive myself. But some people don't want to let go of the matter and that's hard to live with.
Hi Barbara. If you have genuinely asked for forgiveness and the other person has not forgiven you, (or said they forgive you), then that is their problem. It is no longer yours and you should not reproach yourself about it. Some people withhold forgiveness in order to have a hold on someone. Don't let that happen to you. You've said you're sorry; you meant it; they did not accept your apology then that is a matter between them and God.
DeleteAsk God to forgive you. Forgive yourself. And move on and enjoy life. Do not feel beholden to them.
God bless you.
Thank you, Victor. These words are a balm to my spirit.
DeleteGod bless, Barbara.
DeleteSelf-forgiveness is still my biggest Achilles Heel. Please, don't stop telling these truths that I might accept.
ReplyDeleteMevely, you must forgive yourself. God has forgiven you. To withhold forgiveness of yourself is doubting His love and forgiveness. Do you think He is happy to see you doubting Him?
DeleteTrust Him and forgive yourself. God bless.
Well said Victor. Amen.
ReplyDeleteThanx K. God bless.
DeleteThe last is very hard when you feel you deserve to be punished more before you can forgive yourself.
ReplyDeleteTrue, we should accept our forgiveness with grace.
DeleteGod bless, Mimi.