East to West

Everyday we make decisions that we have to pay for. Sometimes the payment is good – other times not.

We often don’t know how  we will reap what we have sown, we have no idea when it will happen but one thing this life has taught me is that it WILL come back. I have gone through things that have caused me to feel great shame and guilt as I am sure many of you have. Many of these things I have been forgiven for by others, however ALL of them,  I have been forgiven of by God through Christ Jesus.

Many of us have not forgiven ourselves for things that Christ has forgiven. We constantly beat ourselves up and question God’s forgiveness, largely because we cannot fathom in our human minds how a slate can be washed clean and no longer held against us?!? As humans, we don’t understand that kind of forgiveness, we are so good at holding grudges and keeping record of how many times we have been hurt. We allow the chains of yesterday to bind us and if we allow them to stay, the enemy will seek to destroy us little by little by condemning us, accusing us, reminding us of all the hurt, harm and pain we have caused.

Now, there is place for remorse and conviction, we should feel that when we have hurt someone or done something sinful – it’s called godly sorrow. The understanding that we have hurt and offended God with our actions and the remedy is repentance – a true turning away from what we have done and a commitment to ask for wisdom, guidance and grace to purpose not to do it again.

The other thing I am learning? Not only is guilt and shame a tool of the enemy to shut you down and keep you stagnant, but it can also be rooted in pride, to keep you focused on yourself. After you have confessed to God (and to others if necessary) with a truly repentant heart, in that moment, you are forgiven by Him.  When you choose to stay in your “pity party” after that, it says that you cannot accept the free gift of forgiveness and grace that God has extended to you through the sacrifice of his Son on the cross. It says that this ultimate sacrifice, the greatest act of love ever shown, isn’t enough for you. That you deserve more than that to make you “feel better”.  Maybe you disagree…but that is what I believe.

On this day, I want all who struggle with guilt and shame to understand one thing…when we struggle with our pasts, if we have asked for God’s forgiveness with a sincere heart and a true desire to change – not for relief – know that you stand before the Father “washed clean”. He no longer holds it against you so don’t hold it against yourself. Others may come and mock you and remind you of all you did…you cannot change the past but you can change the future with the Spirit’s guidance and help.

We cannot live by what we feel, but the truth that the Word of God speaks:

“As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us. “

Psalm 103:12

Selah