Mistakes. We all make them. Wrong choices. We all do them. But what do you do with that?

Questions to Ponder:

Are you one to forgive and forget?

Do you hold onto those mistakes to beat yourself up with later?

Do you expect yourself to be perfect?

Are you angry when you or others make a mistake?

I have to admit it – I am a recovering Perfectionist.  I used to have very unrealistic expectations for myself and for others. I was miserable. And I made everyone else miserable. I could not receive grace or mercy from God because I would not accept it while I was trying to be “perfect”. For me, it shut down my heart. I didn’t allow myself to “let my guard down” with God or anyone else. So I became a “platstic person”. I was never good enough in my own eyes. And neither was anyone else. But I would smile on the outside and say I was just fine…

It took the love of God to break through my mask of perfection. The more I read the Word, the more I received forgiveness and love from the Lord. He loved me right where I was at, and encouraged me to get up and try again.

If God forgave me, who was I to condemn myself?

And who was I to criticize what God had made?

What freedom I found when I finally gave myself permission to make mistakes. Wow, I can’t tell you how great it is to be human today. And now I can extend grace and mercy to others too. Because I have received grace and mercy from God. I forgave myself. God did. Jesus died for all my sins. I believe it. I receive it.  And now I can forgive others.  I can only give to others what God has given me. If I could not receive forgiveness for my shortcomings how could I forgive others for theirs?

I encourage you today. Forgive yourself. God already did, and I forgive you too – for whatever. Accept healing, accept grace, accept mercy – Jesus died to give it to us.  It’s ok to be human today! That’s how He made us anyway. And I really think He already knew we would need His help!

“But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.” (Isaiah 61:6-7 NKJV)