Forgive Yourself

Forgiveness can be challenging to give to someone who has wronged us, but sometimes it is more difficult to forgive ourselves.

Genesis 42:1-38

Reference:  v.21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.  We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.” (NIV Bible)

Explore:  Jacob and his sons had not forgotten about Joseph.  Although the brothers had done their best to get Joseph our of their lives, he was still a prominent memory to them all.  They carried around the guilt of what they had done, long after the time their sin had taken place.

Application:  Forgiveness can be challenging to give to someone who has wronged us, but sometimes it is more difficult to forgive ourselves.  Now, I don’t know if Joseph’s brothers had repented and sought forgiveness from God, but I do know that I will often seek forgiveness from God but then keep bringing up my wrong-doing, almost as a self-punishment.
When God forgives us He immediately wipes that sin away, like He has thrown it into the deepest part of the ocean.  It often takes us longer to forgive ourselves and release ourselves from the bondage and oppression of the guilt that our sin has caused.  While it is crucial for us to learn from our mistakes it is also important to move on from them.  It is great if we can express God’s forgiveness to others, but it’s also important to apply that same level of forgiveness to ourselves.

Prayer:  Lord, You suffered the ultimate sacrifice for our us so that sin would no longer have control of our lives.  Help us to live in Your forgiving freedom and let go of the bondage of guilt.  Amen.

Is there a sin in your life that is still holding you down?

Genesis