FORGIVING YOURSELF AND MOVING FORWARD
Changing the Story of Your Life
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing… I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
- Regret can hold us hostage, and often, the hardest part is forgiving ourselves.
COMMON CAUSES OF REGRETS IN LIFE…
- Unwise Decisions:
- Missed Opportunities:
- Unresolved Relationships:
- Time Wasted:
- Failure to Prioritize What Matters:
- Things Left Unsaid:
- Regret Over Past Mistakes:
Peter’s Moment of Failure Regret. In Luke 22:61-62.
Jesus Response to Peter’s failure and Regret. In John 21:15-17.
Here are a few key applications we can draw from Peter’s failure for our own lives today:
1. WE ALL HAVE MOMENTS OF FAILURE.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23 (NLT)
2. REGRET IS NATURAL, BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE FINAL.
JESUS: “… Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)
“Put away evil and wrong from your home. Then face the world again, firm and courageous.” Job 11:14-15 (GNT)
3. JESUS KNOWS OUR HEART AND SEEKS TO RESTORE US.
“After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Take care of my lambs.’ A second time Jesus said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ A third time Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and so he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!’” John 21:15-17 (GNT)
4. WE ARE CALLED TO MOVE BEYOND REGRET AND LIVE IN GRACE.
“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (GNT)
- God does not just forgive us for our past failures —He empowers us to move forward with purpose.
- We can still fulfill God’s purposes in our lives, even after we have failed.
5. FORGIVENESS OF SELF IS CRUCIAL.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
6. GRACE OVERCOMES GUILT.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (NIV)
- God’s Grace is Greater than Guilt.
Practical Steps to Living Beyond Regret…
Action 1: Acknowledge and Release Regret.
Action 2: Accept God’s Forgiveness and Let Go of the Past.
Action 3: Step Into the New Thing God Is Doing.
Action 4: Take Action; Now, look ahead.