Forgiveness Begins In Our Own Hearts

Have you been chosen by God? Do you sit on the right hand of the father as an heir to the throne? If so, do you show compassion toward others? Do you have empathy for those around you? Do you forgive easily, or do you hold resentment in your heart? Be like Christ and forgive. While it is true that we should forgive other, forgiveness must begin in our own hearts and minds. It must begin with our internal selves.

I think, where we must begin is in forgiving ourselves. I believe, it is much easier to forgive others than it is to forgive ourselves. In others, we see what they might be going through. We consider their past, their hardships, and struggles. We will justify the bad behavior as being something our friend or relative didn’t realize they were doing. We’ll say, “She was tired; she didn’t mean to yell at me,” or “He lost an account at work and isn’t in a positive place.” And just like that, we will forgive them in our hearts and will hold no malice towards them.

But what about ourselves? Do we give ourselves that level of compassion and understanding? Usually, the answer is, “No.” We do not consider our own trauma, our difficult days, or our lack of sleep. We tend to just beat ourselves up. The voice inside can go on and on about all the ways in which we are worthless, less than, and simply not good enough for anything.

Just like we take our hurts by others to Holy Spirit, we too, are to take our personal, internal hurts to the Father. Why do you deserve forgiveness any less than others? Scripture requires us to forgive. In Mark 11:25, the Bible states that “Whenever  you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” I know, on the first read, one would think this is about forgiving others when you pray. And it is about others, but it is also about forgiving yourself.

The key portion of this scripture is “If you have ANYTHING against ANYONE.” Don’t you have something against yourself?

“I’m too fat.”

“I’m not smart enough.”

“I’m not strong enough.”

“I can’t read or write well enough.”

“I’m married.”

“I’m not married.”

“I’m ugly.”

“I wear glasses, a hearing aide, or am in a wheelchair.”

“No one will ever love me.”

All of these thoughts are malice towards ourselves. These negative words that we tell ourselves over and over again are working against who our Father desires us to be. Therefore, we must follow scripture and forgive ourselves. When we forgive ourselves then, “[our] Father who is in heaven will also forgive [us our] transgressions.

As is the case across the Bible, we are given the same message again in Colossians. The scripture reads in part, “whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you [forgive]. All we do all day long is complain about ourselves.

When I was young, I was sneaky with my complaints. In my mind’s eye, I would think about and visualize a future me that was better than, smarter than, more successful than, skinnier than, more charming than my current self. Even though I wasn’t putting myself down with negative sentiments, the thoughts were just as damning and debilitating. How could I move forward today if I wasn’t as smart as the other me in my head? How could I reach for a leadership position if I wasn’t a leader? How could anyone ever love me if today I wasn’t loveable?

When we pray and forgive ourselves for the complaints and malice we’ve had against ourselves, we open room for God to forgive us our sins and wrongdoings.

Prayer

Father God, we come before You, confessing the sinful negative thoughts we have about the child You created in us. We know we are made in Your image and yet we continue to belittle ourselves and speak negatively about ourselves. Father, please forgive me my sins. Forgive me for having negative thoughts about Your child. Bless my thoughts and heal my thoughts. Begin to change the way I think allowing me to see me the way You created me, perfect in all of my imperfections because I belong to You and am a part of You.

Thank you so much for accepting my apology and forgiving me. Thank you over and over again for opening my heart to the special person You created in me. I praise You for giving me new positive thoughts that guide my way forward. Thank you for compassion, humility, and kindness.

In your loving son Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mark 11:24-26

New American Standard Bible 1995

24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26 [[a]But if you do

not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]

Colossians 3:12-13

New American Standard Bible 1995

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and [a]patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.