‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18
There is absolutely nothing that sins us and hurts us physically and more mentally than sin. Then after we fail……our minds kick in on overdrive. Trust me I know, been there done that. We feel as if nothing we could say or do could take back what we have done.
When I was much younger I had a hung temper…….If someone would make me mad or upset my words or actions was completely un-lady like. I would throw things and say things that I necessarily never meant I just wanted to get even or hurt them. Then after I would explode I so wish I could take it all back…but I couldn’t the guilt…..oh gosh the guilt.
About six months before my dad passed away we got into a huge argument. He was doing things that was just not Christian like. He would preach one thing and live a totally different thing. One day I just had enough and completely let my mouth get away with me. I actually called him the “anti-Christ before he left. Well I was so mad and so upset at what he had done and said that I never talked to him for several months. Then one day I got a call at work…..”Darlene, this is your aunt Linda….your dad had a stroke and they found him in his room unresponsive. He is on life support you should really get up to the hospital…he is bad.” I will never forget them words……My heart completely broke into a million pieces…..the last words my dad would ever hear from me was going to be “dad you’re the anti-Christ.
The stain that just that one day put on my soul, on my heart, and in my mind……..
No matter how many times I told God I was so sorry, I felt so so so so guilty.
One day though I knelt at the altar and said “Lord, I am truly sorry for what I said to my dad…please forgive me!!!! I give you my word Lord that I will watch my temper and my words toward anyone you place in front of me and allow grace to rain instead of anger.” When I got up for the first time in two and half years I felt it…………
GRACE……..
He had lifted the guilt of my sin. He had forgiven me. Not only forgiven me but threw the thought of that horrible thing away as far as the east from the west. I was able to enjoy life again, I was finally able to talk about my dad without crying about what I had said to him. I was finally free from the weight of my guilt. I FINALLY FORGAVE MYSELF!!!!!!
So my prayer for everyone to is:
Prayer…
Dear Lord please reach down and comfort the ones that are allowing their past sins to dictate their futures. Help them see the victorious power of your forgiveness. Almighty God I also ask that you reach down and touch their hearts so they can find the strength to forgive themselves. Help them also see the same joy your grace gives me, glorious God! I can never thank you or praise you enough for rerouting the whole direction of my life so that it will end, and begin again, in you and your grace.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
