Intentional or unintentional, we all make mistakes; no one
lives error-free. It is part of the human condition.
A few years ago utility worker in Arizona San
Diego
The thing is a mistake will most often cost you
something—your time, your money, your reputation, or something else. If you
miss one payment on your credit card bill, your rate will go up considerably.
Ignore the fine print on a document, and you may wind up with results you never
expected.
We all make
mistakes; it’s what we do after a blunder that makes a difference.
We can wallow in regret. We can run and hide. Or, we
can choose to learn from the mistake.
Failure can turn to
triumph when we ask God for forgiveness, receive it, and learn to
discern the ways of wisdom. Certainly, we need wisdom to do things differently
and make better choices, but first we need forgiveness.
The mistake you made could have been a small oversight. On
the other hand, it could have been willful disobedience, and you need to call
it what it is: sin. It’s not a popular word today, but a wrongdoing against God
is an offense toward him. Sin separates; it disconnects us from God. So in order
to be right with God again, to reconnect the relationship, we need forgiveness.
When we ask God for
forgiveness, he extends it and opens the door to right standing with him again.
First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
That is very good news.
Even when we mess up, God keeps right on loving us. He is
constant and faithful, a loving God but also a God of justice.
So when you feel like you’re being disciplined, it’s for a
reason. Because he loves you, he wants things to be made right.
After you’ve asked for forgiveness and he has given it, don’t
keep beating yourself up emotionally. You
may have done something bad, but you are not a bad person. God loves
you—always. He may be hurt by your actions at times, but restoration is
possible. That’s why grace is so amazing. In addition, when God forgives you,
it paves the way for you to forgive others.
Forgiveness is a gift. We need to receive his gift of
forgiveness—to walk in it, to let go of the past, and to move forward.
And, it you’ve hurt another person by your mistake you can
ask God for the integrity and courage to say you are sorry and to ask him or
her for forgiveness.
Don’t keep mulling over the mistake in your mind. God
forgives and forgets; we need to do the same by forgiving ourselves, walking in
the truth, and thanking him for all he has done. It may take some time for your
heart to catch up with your head and feel forgiven. But whether you feel
it or not, the fact remains that God has forgiven you. The feelings will follow.
Remind yourself how loving and gracious God is; he does not treat
us as our sins or mistakes deserve. He treats us infinitely better. Read Psalm
103:8–12 for a good reminder about God’s compassionate heart.
Prayer for Forgiveness
Lord, I have messed
up. I have sinned against you and others in making this mistake. What a mess. I
was wrong, and I am sorry. Thank you for your faithfulness and that you never
turn your back on me. I ask for your forgiveness. Help me to receive it, to
walk in it, and to move forward by faith. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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