Today’s word jewel is less of a word of encouragement and more of a plea: forgive yourself.
***Take a deep breath…hold for 3 counts…and release***
For many of us, those two words hit home—hard.
We know forgiveness is necessary, not for the one who has wronged us but for our own emotional and spiritual freedoms. We know that forgiveness frees us to release hurts and offenses and embrace liberation and expansion. We know this.
And yet…
How many times have we replayed our mistakes in our minds each time beating on ourselves—harder and harder—because we should’ve known better?
How many times have we looked in the mirror and allowed hurtful words and thoughts to run amok without correction?
How many times have we allowed condemnation to block us from embracing and receiving love from others?
Much has been said on the importance of forgiving others, but many seem to skip over the concept of forgiving ourselves.
Beautiful Ones, believe it or not, it’s equally important and that we forgive ourselves with the same urgency, compassion, and hope that we use to forgive others. Unforgiveness brings with it spiritual bondage, emotional rigidity, anger, and other emotions like bitterness which often manifests as body ailments and/or unrelenting stress.
The word of God tells us that bitterness—the fruit of unforgiveness—is a means by which many are defiled.
See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of bitterness, of resentment, springs up and causes trouble, and by it, many are defiled. Hebrews 12:15
Regardless of what we’ve done in our past, of an embarrassment we’ve suffered, or a sin we’ve committed, it’s imperative that we forgive ourselves—that we release ourselves from the shame or anger we harbor about ourselves. If God chose to forget our sins for His sake, then we ought to do the same and follow suit.
I, only I, am He who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25
Our gracious Father, the I AM, the Omnipotent One, the God who loves us unconditionally, wipes out our transgressions and refuses to remember the wrong we have done.
Why on earth would you, me, us continue to do the opposite? Why beat up ourselves for something that has already been wiped out and forgotten?
Beautiful Ones, your past does NOT define you! Your mistakes do NOT define you. You are wonderfully made and you are beautiful. Forgive yourself, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward.
Blessing & love from my heart to yours,
Hestina’s Jewels
Hestina's Jewels 