“For You, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive (our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever); and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.”  Psalm 86:5, AMP

Do you have trouble forgiving yourself? If so, I have good news for you today because our scripture above tells us that we are not only forgiven but our sins have been sent away, let go completely and forever by our merciful and loving God!

Do you remember in Elementary School when a teacher would put our name on the chalkboard if we disobeyed in class? Having our name on the board would stir up feelings of embarrassment and awareness of our wrongful behavior.  And it was the very act of seeing our name on the chalkboard throughout the day that kept us conscious of our bad choice. This is the very thing the devil longs to do to God’s people.  He wants us sin-conscious, after all, he is the accuser of the brethren and he wants our focus on our past sins rather than God’s grace.

Satan understands that sin conscious people live a state of hopelessness and depression.  He does not want you to fulfill your destiny and focusing solely on your past sins – will do just that! You see, Satan does not want you to know that  Jesus is the “eraser” of all sin.  The chalkboard that once listed your sin was erased with His precious Blood the moment you gave your life to Him.  That my friend is the power of the Cross!

The truth is that you may not feel forgiven but God’s Word supersedes feelings. Psalm 86:5 is clear,“For You, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive (our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever); and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.” Your feelings will LIE to you, but God’s Word is ALWAYS TRUE.

If forgiving yourself has been a struggle for you then I would like for you to do something…Take out a pencil and a piece of paper.  Then write down all the sins that have tormented you. Once you have completed your list, I want you to re-read Psalm 86:5.  As an act of faith, I now want you to use an eraser and erase your list until it is completely gone.  And now with your blank paper in front of you, it is time to thank Jesus for His Blood and forgiveness of sins!

I would also like to encourage you to put this piece of paper somewhere for you to see (a kitchen cabinet or bathroom mirror perhaps) and anytime you feel un-forgiven or tormented by your past sins, walk up to this piece of paper and declare: “The Lord has forgiven me of my sins. My sins have been erased, sent away, let go completely and forever out of God’s abundant mercy and love for me. Feelings you must submit to the Word of God. I am forgiven, redeemed and an over comer in Christ Jesus. Amen.” That my friend is what it means to be forgiven completely & forever!!

Prayer: “Lord, Your love is amazing and I am so thankful that my sins are forgiven, let go of completely and gone forever.  Help me to believe Your Word over how I feel.  I declare that my feelings must line up with the Word of God and I ask that You help me receive this truth deep within my spirit.  Thank Jesus for Your precious blood that came to erase my sins away. Help me to walk in the abundance of Your grace forevermore.  Amen.”