Have you ever felt like you were held captive by the mistakes and bad choices of your past- feeling unable to leave the guilt and regret behind?

I have…

I  have had days when guilt and regret have washed over me like a cold, harsh ocean wave, slapping me in the face and knocking me off balance, my mind swirling with memories of those I’ve hurt due to my rebellion and self-centeredness.

You see, as the years have gone by and I have grown in my walk with God, he has allowed  me to truly see the gravity of my past sin. No more blaming others, or justifying my choices, but feeling true empathy and remorse for those I’ve wronged. I see this as a gift.

I believe that during the process of spiritual maturity, God will often humble us and reveal to us our depravity. It is only then that we can truly understand the great sacrifice of our Savior and the undeserved blessing of his grace and mercy.

In turn, we begin to show grace and mercy to those around us. We feel so grateful for God’s love and forgiveness that we can no longer condemn others for their failures and shortcomings.

We begin to see others through the eyes of Jesus-as imperfect human beings deeply loved by God.

We more readily forgive those who do us wrong.

And we are no longer paralyzed by sadness and regret over things we have done and people we have hurt.

A healing step for me has been to ask forgiveness of those I have wronged where it is possible to do so.

I am so thankful that God is a God of second chances and that the sins of my past, present, and future were nailed to the cross and remembered no more when Jesus died for me.

Now sin no longer has a hold over me. I can live in freedom and joy-letting go of the guilt and regret of the past and looking forward to a beautiful and purpose-filled life with Him.

I will pray that you can, too!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1 (NIV)

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12 (NIV)