Even when it’s our fault
Just like those that hurt us (see last week’s Letting Go post), we hurt others in many ways. Sometimes we do it intentionally. Selfishly. We say something in anger that cuts to the bone. Wegossip. We ignore another person’s needs or requests. Other times we do it by accident. We forget to do what we’ve promised. We’re careless. We hide things. We lie to protect ourselves not thinking of the impact it will have on others.
Often, because of fear or stubborness, we just plain make bad choices. We willfully choose not to walk in the path God has set before us—the path of righteousness. We insist on doing things our own way.
However it comes to pass, we, in our rebellion, ultimately end up sinning against God or others. Sometimes we don’t even realize what we’ve done, or we somehow convince ourselves that our actions are justified. Eventually, however, as the consequences of our behavior and the conviction of the Holy Spirit start to settle in, we may begin to feel pangs of guilt and shame. They are ugly, helpless feelings.
Even though, WE were fully responsible for the way things turned out, God gives us a way to resolve our mistakes. We aren’t doomed to live forever with the broken relationships, guilt, and regrets. He provided a way for us to make it right with whomever we harmed.
It’s a two-step process that is as hard as it is easy. First we must humble ourselves and become vulnerable by admitting to the one we harmed (whether it be man or God) that we messed up. We need to confess that we didn’t do the right thing. We sinned.
Then we need to repent for those hurtful words or actions. Repenting isn’t just feeling Godly sorrow for what we have done. It is completely turning away from the attitude or choice that caused us to sin. We must lay down our own will and self-interest and turn back to focusing on God‘s desires and direction in our life. There’s an essential action component. We must try to make things right and, if we can’t fix it, we need to genuinely ask forgiveness for the things we did that were hurtful.
Confession and repentance cleanse us deep within and finally provide a way to put those damaging encounters behind us. We no longer need to be controlled by our shame. We are, once again, free—free to experience God’s peace.
Often, because of fear or stubborness, we just plain make bad choices. We willfully choose not to walk in the path God has set before us—the path of righteousness. We insist on doing things our own way.
However it comes to pass, we, in our rebellion, ultimately end up sinning against God or others. Sometimes we don’t even realize what we’ve done, or we somehow convince ourselves that our actions are justified. Eventually, however, as the consequences of our behavior and the conviction of the Holy Spirit start to settle in, we may begin to feel pangs of guilt and shame. They are ugly, helpless feelings.
Even though, WE were fully responsible for the way things turned out, God gives us a way to resolve our mistakes. We aren’t doomed to live forever with the broken relationships, guilt, and regrets. He provided a way for us to make it right with whomever we harmed.
It’s a two-step process that is as hard as it is easy. First we must humble ourselves and become vulnerable by admitting to the one we harmed (whether it be man or God) that we messed up. We need to confess that we didn’t do the right thing. We sinned.
Then we need to repent for those hurtful words or actions. Repenting isn’t just feeling Godly sorrow for what we have done. It is completely turning away from the attitude or choice that caused us to sin. We must lay down our own will and self-interest and turn back to focusing on God‘s desires and direction in our life. There’s an essential action component. We must try to make things right and, if we can’t fix it, we need to genuinely ask forgiveness for the things we did that were hurtful.
Confession and repentance cleanse us deep within and finally provide a way to put those damaging encounters behind us. We no longer need to be controlled by our shame. We are, once again, free—free to experience God’s peace.
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13
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