Is there anyone in the entire world that doesn't need self forgiveness? Wouldn't it be great if you could go through your whole life without doing or saying stupid stuff? Can you imagine a life without regrets, and never having to say a prayer for forgiveness?
In my own case, I truly wish I could go back in my life and change so many things. Decisions...choices...statements...wow, the list is almost endless.
But alas, it's not possible. So how do you deal with all that stuff? How do you let go of every single one of those bad decisions, wrong choices, and stupid statements?
Well, there's hope. God's word says when you turn your life over to Him, He takes all things and makes them new. But does that mean everything is erased? Unfortunately, no. But it does mean that He takes all things and will work them out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. It means healing is available to all who forgive.
I know I would never have started this website if I wouldn't have gone through all those bad choices and decisions. Many times, it isn't until you come to the end of yourself that you find what you've been looking for all along. What a concept...
A part of forgive healing and letting God "make all things turn out for good" is self forgiveness. If God is willing to forgive, then who are you and I to continue to hold a grudge? Moving forward is a team effort. It can't be done without both you and God actively participating.
Remember how Jesus talked about wanting to give His disciples a new way of moving forward? He told them that you can't put new wine in old wineskins or you'll bust the wineskin. Rather, new wine belongs in new wineskins.
Surrendering all the bad choices in your life is like pouring out all the old wine, throwing away the wineskin, and starting all over by putting brand new wine into a brand new wineskin.
I recently read a GREAT book called, Right people, Right Place, Right Plan, by Jentezen Franklin. The book describes how many of the things that have happened in your life have contributed to being in the right place at the right time for God to use you.
This book will tell you that God will actually give you a plan. You use your resources and talent to work the plan and God backs you up every step of the way. I love it when a plan comes together.