Start your week with the right mindset to live a Life Designed by God
Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
FORGIVEN
Mark 25:11 (NIV)
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
In life we often carry the weight of our own mistakes, mishaps and wrongdoings. Oftentimes, beating ourselves up and holding on to the past. Yet, when others do wrong to us, we do our best to forgive them and/or make sure they are alright. Some of us even hold on to the belief that says, ‘that forgiveness is not for them, it is for you.’ That is correct according to Mark 25:11. Yet, have you ever wondered why it is easier to forgive others and not ourselves?
In Mark 25:11 it says that "...if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him,. . .” Who is the ‘him’? Did you ever think the ‘him’ could also be talking about and includes you? You are not to hold anything against yourself, not your past mistakes, mishaps or wrongdoings. You are to also forgive yourself!!! Look, if you are not willing to forgive yourself, then how do you expect Jesus to forgive you? Psalms 55:22 tells us to ‘Cast your cares on the Lord’. Cares are the weights or burdens you carry – i.e. the mistake you think is unforgiveable, that you don’t want anyone to know, that thing that troubles and haunts you. Also, Jesus tells us to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” Matthew 4:17 Repent means to turn away from your wrongdoings– so you should turn away from not forgiving yourself because it goes against what God wants you to do. He wants you to be forgiving, and yes, that includes forgiving yourself. When you forgive yourself, He will then forgive you. You then can experience the Kingdom of Heaven - Peace, Joy, Abundant Living, Prosperity, Deliverance, etc. Stop holding onto the past and holding it against yourself. Forgive yourself.
So say to yourself (as I am also saying to myself)
I forgive me for my mistakes, mishaps and wrongdoings.
I do not hold anything against me.
My Father in Heaven forgives me.
Therefore, I am FORGIVEN.
Amen.
You are Forgiven and Stay Encouraged,
Minister Dr. Dietrich
