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Free From Guilt
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| Photo: Robert Aichinger |
"There’s no way God can ever forgive me. I am unforgivable." Have you ever harbored these thoughts? I used to feel this way all the time.
There was a time when I felt that I had done so many bad things and made so many wrong choices that God could never forgive me. As a teenager, and even into my early adult years, I had really screwed up my life. I can remember lying in bed night after night with guilt weighing heavy on my conscience, pleading with God for forgiveness. But I really didn't believe it could be mine.
My folks raised me to be a “good girl.” I knew I had done wrong and desperately wanted to go back and change the past, but I knew that wasn't possible. So, I spent my nights lying in the dark, begging for forgiveness until sleep overcame me. I didn’t think God could love me.
James 5:15 tells us that “Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven--healed inside and out.”
God Not the Problem
After months, maybe years, I realized that God was not the problem. He had forgiven me long ago. I had not accepted it because I couldn’t forgive myself. I didn’t believe I was a lovable person because of the things I had done. No one, not even God, could ever love me.
The relief I felt when I realized that God could, and wanted to forgive me, was incredible! God wanted me to be free from the guilt, pain, and sorrow. But it was up to me to accept the forgiveness and let the healing begin.
It doesn’t matter how horrible you feel your past is. We all wish we could go back and change something. God has the power to forgive, heal, and turn your life around. Give God a chance – you might be surprised!
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By Melissa Ringstaff. Copyright © 2009 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE ®
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