What about forgiving ourselves?

What about forgiving myself?

What about when the one whom we are holding unforgiveness toward is ourselves?  What if the anger is directed inside?
What if the bitterness that eats at us is directed at our own selves? It's a gnawing pain that makes us cringe when we think of the past sin. We shudder at it. We ask ourselves, "Why, oh why, did I do that?"  Or why did we say it.... or why did we turn the other way when we should have spoken up? Or helped someone? We just can't seem to move past the sins of the past..... and our deep regrets will not allow us to forgive ourselves.

One of the reasons we may find it difficult to forgive ourselves is because someone else hasn't. If we have wronged people and they can't find it in their heart to forgive us, then as a result we don't feel like we should be, or can be, forgiven.
Another reason can be that someone else we've wronged is out of touch. Perhaps they have even passed away. We look at the situtation and think that if we can't make amends, we can't be forgiven.

Anyone nodding their head here?
What can we do?
I believe that in order to forgive ourselves, we must trust in God's forgiveness. Listen to Paul:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. (I Timothy 1:12-16)

Think about it for a minute.
Paul had so many things to regret from his past life. In his old life, he condoned and watched the stoning of Stephen for his faith. Then he ferreted out and pursued and persecuted Christians of all ages -- men, women, children -- it didn't matter. His fierce hatred for believers made him work hard to imprison and kill Christians until his name was known far and wide, and inspired dread in all of the believers.
Wow.
Talk about having regrets!
Now, he was one of them. He had become the very thing he had sought to destroy.
Perhaps this was Paul's "thorn in the flesh" that he talks about in II Corinthians. It may very well have been a physical ailment, but it could also have been the thoughts of his horrible past life and the many murders on his conscience. (II Corinthians 12:7-10)
Paul pleaded with Jesus to take away the messenger of Satan that tormented him. Jesus told him that His grace was sufficient. His grace was all that Paul needed, in order to take away the overwhelming guilt and shame.  I believe this may have been Paul's thorn. Maybe not. But in any case, it was Jesus' desire that Paul give his regrets over to Him. The same grace that saved Paul was the grace that forgave him -- wiped the slate clean so Paul could forget about it.
We shouldn't allow the past to claim our thoughts any longer. God's grace is enough for us to be able to more forward, and leave our regrets behind us.

After all, if we look in the Word, we find plenty of godly people who had less than perfect resumes. Amen?  Moses committed murder. David committed murder and then ordered a murder to try to cover up his initial sin. The list goes on.
Here's the point: if God can not only forgive but also use people like this in His kingdom, why not us? God wants to forgive us, and He wants to have us be working parts of His kingdom. We have not done anything that He can't forgive. Why? Because He is love, and He is forgiveness. If He is not holding it against us, why are we?  He has put it behind Him; we can too! He wants us to move forward, not backward!

To finish up this two week study, let's look again at the results of unforgiveness and of forgiveness. The result of bitterness, hatred, and unforgiveness is destruction!

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:14-15)

The church in Galatia had gotten caught up in a whirlwind of religious disputes and they produced quarreling, conflict, and strife. What an interesting analogy Paul uses! When we are fueled by bitterness, anger, hatred, and unforgiveness, we are devouring and destroying one another..... we are destroying the joy and peace of spiritual lives ruled by forgiving spirits.

The outcome of love, though, is just the opposite! If we are ruled by love, then we are promoting and nurturing forgiveness, as well as all the other positive, wonderful virtues of the Christian faith. And to tell you the truth, what results from forgiveness can be pretty amazing! Salvation, restoration, glorifying God, and getting kingdom work done!

Let's covenant with Him to show the forgiveness that He showed us, to all whom we come in contact with..... during this lovely Christmas season, and all of our lives. Let's let forgiveness become a habit. We will overcome bitterness, anger, and past sins, too.

Praise the Lord!