We all make mistakes. Sorry, but that’s the truth.
If you are anything like me, some mistakes wreak havoc with my emotions and my relationship with God. They can even zap my energy to get things done. I found myself in this exact situation recently.
My motives were great at first, however the choice led to guilt and questions like “I am so unworthy to talk to Him, and read His word how can I call myself a Christian or even go to my local place of worship?” Let me say this before I continue, we are not worthy but have been made worthy when we have accepted Christ as our Savior.
I am a recovering “Perfectionist”. By the way there is only One perfect and that is Christ. With that said, when the mess up is big in my eyes, perfectionism attacks with power. Instead of focusing on what can I learn from the mistake, I beat myself up sometimes until I’m sick.
Enter the two “safe” people in my life, my husband and my mentor/accountability/prayer partner.
Mike is a wonderful man who I am grateful God gave to me. As I confessed to him my mistake, he talked without condemnation and best of all, showed me the positives that could come out of it.
JoAnn is wonderful, godly woman. As I poured my heart out to her she also listened while I sobbed. She gave this input; “Christine, you must get back into the Word. The only way to find relief and release from the guilt, which by the way is not of God but Satan himself, is to allow God to battle for you through His Word. Read verses that talk about His love for you. It will be amazing what you will learn.”
So I did. I talked to Mike about what I had been learning through my Bible reading and a book I was reading. Surprise appeared on his face.
“You still feel guilt over this?”
“Yes.” I cried.
“Honey I’ve got just the verse for you that I have memorized. By the way, guilt is not of God.”
Hmmm, where did I here that before? Here is what he shared with me:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet
to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14 *
I realized how easily I forget His promises that He has given me. Promises like:
Romans 8:1 – There is no condemnation for those of us who have accepted Christ
Deuteronomy 7:7-9 – He doesn’t love me because I’m important or perfect but because I am His
Psalm Psalms 66:20 – He will not hold back His love from me
Psalm 17:8 – I am the apple of His eye
Psalm 94:12-19 – He won’t reject me but uses the mistakes to teach me
Zephaniah 3:17 – He is with me, mighty to save me, delights in me, quiets me with His love and rejoices over me.
But one of the neatest things is His love is all encompassing:
Psalm 36:5 It reaches to the heavens (it’s above me)
Psalms 23:6 – His love follows me (It’s behind me)
Psalms 26:3 – His love is before me (it’s in front of me)
Psalms 139 –He knows me and hems me in
Ephesians 3:17b-19 His love is wide, long, deep and high
Now close your eyes and picture yourself. Place a red heart where these verses say God’s love is. We as His children are totally surrounded by His love.
I wish I could say that the guilt is totally gone. It’s not, but it has diminished, as I have called out to God. I’m better then I was 5 days ago and better than yesterday. The worse thing I can do is runaway from the Father. During these times I should be running toward Him.
I have been forgiven by God.
Let me say this, fear can come into play with some of our mistakes. This can be a good thing for it becomes a warning flag that we are heading in the wrong direction and change is needed. But take heart forgiveness is waiting with open arms. Brokeness admits the wrong , leaves it as God’s feet and allows Him to restore and help us move on.
How about you today? Do you have a hard time fighting the guilt or embarrassment over your mistakes ?
Don’t run from your Heavenly Father. Read His Word, leave your mistakes with Him and allow Him to restore you.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1
*Please note all verses quoted and listed are from the NIV 1984 version of the Bible.
Solitude with the Father 