For years, I beat myself up for both major and minor infractions. Both sins of commission (when I actively did wrong) and sins of omission (when I didn’t do right things) haunted me.
I grew up in the church and knew the Bible well. Yet forgiving myself often felt impossible, especially for sins that changed the path of my life.
If you struggle with forgiving yourself, meditate on this portion of Psalm 103 with me. We’ll look at how to apply it to our lives after we read it through, slowly and thoughtfully.
Meditate on the Psalms to Forgive Yourself
How Psalm 103 Helps You Forgive Yourself
You can learn to forgive yourself by remembering these key points in Psalm 103.
God is slow to get angry.
You may be angry at yourself for sinning, but God isn’t, if you have turned to him in repentance. He is patient and kind, willing to forgive. His unfailing love covers your sin, because Jesus died for you.
God is not your accuser.
Do you sometimes hear accusing words in your heart or mind? They aren’t being spoken by God. The enemy tries to steal and destroy, keeping you mired in the past with accusations. The Bible calls him an accuser, but names God as your Deliverer.
God is not punishing you.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you no longer live under sin’s condemnation. God’s unfailing love is far greater than the damages of your sin. You may have to live with the consequences of a bad decision, but they aren’t meant as punishment. They are natural results of living in a sinful world. God offers mercy, discipline, and grace instead of punishment to his followers.
God has removed your sins.
As far as the east is from the west, God has removed your sins from you. They no longer have power over you! Praise Jesus for his ultimate sacrifice which makes that removal possible. Choose to believe that since God has taken your sins that far away, you can do the same for yourself.
God sees you as a beloved daughter.
He offers tenderness and compassion to you because you are precious to him. You can call him your Daddy, because he loves you so much. Turn to him for comfort during your forgiveness process.
God knows your limitations.
Your sins are no surprise to God. He understands your sinful human nature, which will always be a part of you until your last day on earth. God knows your struggles. He also knows you won’t battle with them forever, because you are promised an eternal life free from sin when you believe in him.
God’s love reigns over your life.
If you learn nothing else from Psalm 103, remember that God’s love remains with you forever when you follow him. Nothing else in your life will last forever, but God’s love for you will last that long. Basking in his love can help you love yourself the way God commands.
The key to forgiving yourself? Learning to accept God’s love and forgiveness for yourself. As you remind yourself daily that you are forgiven by the Lord God Almighty, you will grow in grace and kindness toward yourself. One day, you’ll be able to lay your burden down for good.
Note: This post originally appeared on Woman 2 Woman Ministries.
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