Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Rashional Thoughts: Forgiving ourselves hard but essential step in healing process

  • May 7, 2021
  • Jennifer Davis Rash
  • Editorials by Jennifer Rash, Opinion, Rashional Thoughts

Rashional Thoughts: Forgiving ourselves hard but essential step in healing process

So many things we wish we would have said or done — and now it’s too late. If only we could have one more conversation, then we would definitely share so much more than we did when we had the opportunity.

It’s something most everyone has experienced at some level, but that fact doesn’t make the gnawing pain of regret any easier.

For many, it doesn’t prevent them from living a productive and fulfilled life. They understand what it is and find a way to compartmentalize it, even though the sadness associated with it surfaces from time to time.

For others, it paralyzes them a bit and they can’t move past the rawness without something to dull the pain, which often leads to unhealthy behaviors.

And in some cases, an added notion of self-punishment lingers for years if something they did or didn’t do caused harm or disappointment to another in some way.

Forgiving ourselves is one of the hardest steps in healing — and actually hurts more people in the process the longer we take to release the situation to God.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for each of us in order to provide complete forgiveness and offer a clear path to heaven when we die.

Accepting His grace-filled gift of taking all the punishment on Himself doesn’t mean we avoid the consequences for our actions nor moments of sadness or “wish we would have.”

However, it does mean we don’t have to carry the weight of the burden because Jesus will carry it for us. It means we can be whole despite ourselves.

My heart always breaks when I encounter someone tormented by past actions or inactions and unwilling to give Jesus a chance.

“I’ve done too much and been too bad a person to be forgiven,” one man shared with me.

“Regret is the worst part,” another shared. “Forgive myself? That will never happen. It’s just what I have to live with.”

Both conversations hung heavy in the air. Neither one wanted to hear what Jesus had to offer and both had conceded to walking through each day with tortured spirits, in sort of a self-imposed life behind bars.

These two men were from different areas with extremely different experiences, and yet they described a similar pain.

The hurt ran deep and I’ve often wondered if some of their bitterness, anger and recklessness stemmed from the unwillingness to ask for and accept forgiveness.

My prayer is that they will find the Jesus who gives rest to the weary and heavy laden (Matt. 11:28–30), allow the situation to humble them and be better because of it.

Philippians 3:13–14 helps us understand one step in moving forward:

“… But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

A few quotables from Scripture and Christian leaders on the concept of forgiveness…

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

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
—Proverbs 28:13

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
—James 5:16

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
—Luke 6:37

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
—Ephesians 4:31–32

Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.
—Martin Luther King Jr.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
—Lewis B. Smedes

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • New Ministry Wives podcast offers tips host Christine Hoover wishes she’d had
    New Ministry Wives podcast offers tips host Christine Hoover wishes she’d had
    August 9, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • Kentucky Disaster Relief laundry unit helping flood survivors in multiple ways
    Kentucky Disaster Relief laundry unit helping flood survivors in multiple ways
    August 9, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • Overcoming spiritual barriers: South Asians hear hope for humanity
    Overcoming spiritual barriers: South Asians hear hope for humanity
    August 9, 2022/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.
  • Amplify

Related Posts

New Ministry Wives podcast offers tips host Christine Hoover wishes she’d had

Christine Hoover said when she embarked on her ministry as a pastor’s wife that she “was so young and didn’t know what I was doing

Kentucky Disaster Relief laundry unit helping flood survivors in multiple ways

Of all the items donated to the flood survivors in eastern Kentucky, officials have asked that clothes not be included. The clothes are needed but

Overcoming spiritual barriers: South Asians hear hope for humanity

People living in a remote South Asian village gathered around a roll-up screen projector to watch a video about the rise and fall of mankind

NOBTS scholarship increase announced for active IMB, ISC and Journeyman missionaries

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College recently announced an increase in the missionary scholarship for active International Mission Board personnel and returning International

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
Menu
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
Menu
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2022 TAB Media Group

  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Menu
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel