Do you have something in your past that you just can't let go of? Something that continues to weigh on you years or decades later? Even though you've confessed the sin to our Father in Heaven, and felt His forgiveness, you just can't seem to forgive yourself?
I have two events like that. Even though God has forgiven me, I can't forgive myself. For a long time, I thought that maybe I needed to share those parts of my life with others, but that just doesn't feel right, at least not right now. The people I have shared with were understanding and supportive, but it didn't lessen my guilt and shame. That was to be expected. If the burden was still there after God forgave me, then of course it would still be there after confessing to people who were uninvolved.
My guilt was then compounded with the thought that 'who am I to not forgive sins that God has forgiven?' Jesus died a horrible death so that my sins would be forgiven. So, what did that say about my unwillingness to forgive? It's the same as not forgiving others.
I now realize that it's Satan, the Great Accuser, who is causing me to hang onto these things, to make me feel bad about myself, to bring me down. Please don't let him do that to you. Recognize it and tell him to "go away." Pray for help and strength.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 ESV
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Please join me this week in praying for those who are carrying around guilt and shame, especially for those who are troubled with the past and can't let go, even though our Father has forgiven them. Pray that they recognize that Jesus died for all of their sins, that those sins are now wiped away and they are now a new being in His eyes.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power
#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #guilt #shame #accusation #Satan #depression #forgiveness
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