FORGIVE...THE SECOND MAY OF CHRISTMAS

Image by SPazzø via Flickr
When was the last time you allowed yourself to make a mistake and move on uneventfully without beating yourself up over the bad decisions or accidental errors? How long have you harbored feelings of being the one responsible for something that was long forgotten by everyone else? Sometimes the problem is not that we are not able to take the blame but that once we take it we don't give ourselves permission to forgive ourselves and move on.


Maybe you feel responsible for the marriage that dissolved or the poor relationship you have with your children. Maybe you blame yourself for a relationship with a friend that was severed, or feel you have been the one whose mistakes have led to a lifetime of "what if's". What has passed is past and the more you try to drag it into the future, the less comfortable it feels. You might easily forgive another but still have not forgiven yourself.


Life is too short to live on this side of regret or disappointment. Even if it was your fault. 


MAY YOU FORGIVE YOURSELF AND OTHERS AND NEVER LOOK BACK WITH REGRET.


Some may think it controversial to not have remorse about an action or disappointment about something you did, but any regrets that linger are bound to have more negative implications than positive ones. Stop wishing for what isn't or can never be and simply forgive yourself and leave it where it is best...over and done. Then pick up the pieces left and go into your life positively determined to learn and do better. It is a gift you absolutely must give yourself if you are ever going to leave a better legacy or commit to something larger than yourself.


Whether you need to forgive yourself or finally come to grips with forgiving someone who needs to hear your pardon, it can be amazingly exhilarating to simple say, "I forgive you." and promise to not dwell on any aspect of the issue again. 


 So simply look into the mirror or pick up the phone and say the words that will not only lift a heavy weight from you shoulders but give you wings to live your life soaring above the thing that has forever held you down.


If your heavenly Father could forgive, why can't you be as gracious?

"I WILL BLOT OUT ALL YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS AND REMEMBER YOUR SINS NO MORE."Isaiah 43:25 

What do you need to give yourself permission to forgive?