Making Mistakes: Self-Compassion 2

Do you make mistakes?  Have you ever made a BIG mistake?  Have you hurt people when you did not intend to? How do you handle your sins, mistakes or errors? Do you beat yourself up attempting to pay for your own sin?  Do you engage in harsh self-criticism to try to prevent yourself from ever making another mistake?  Is your self-condemnation a form of punishment which you think will help avoid another error?

Recognizing God is not angry with us is an important first step. If your parents were critical of you, this may not come easy. Tuning up our relationship with God is essential. Isaiah 49:13-16  -God has you engraved on the palms of His hands. An honest confession to God is very healing. For example, if there were warning signs but you ignored them this is worth confessing. If you are having trouble feeling forgiven, confessing to another person is something the Bible says is healing (James 5:16)

Once you have confessed and been forgiven, forgiving yourself is really just agreeing with God’s forgiveness.  This sounds easy, but it is not. Especially for those who have a habit of self-condemnation.  It is essential not to continue condemning yourself once God has forgiven you and you have received that forgiveness.  Confess, receive God's forgiveness, and treat yourself the way God treats you, even if others do not.