Simple Repentance

Repent. It’s a word I hear quite often. Every time I do, I think about all the times that I have “repented” of sins, only to keep on doing the same sins. Ouch! I hated when I did that. 

Repentance means that you completely turn around and go in opposite direction. Most of the time I just feel sorry for what I have done, but it doesn’t change anything in my heart. I have found that true repentance happens when God loves me out of sinful habit or when He untangles me from a sin through suffering. When I feel safe in God’s arms, sin has no appeal. When true suffering comes, all my sins and bad attitudes are shown for what they are and I beg God to help me to change them. Slowly He helps me to get free. 

So the next time that someone tells you that you need to repent, ask God to help you to truly repent and change for real. 

Simple Forgiveness

Forgive yourself. If you hate yourself for the things you have done, you won’t have forgiveness in your heart for others. 

All is forgiven! Let the love and mercy of God be enough to cover whatever sin that you have committed.

This is a process and yes it does take time. God has to untangle all the roots of self-hatred.  And for most of us that takes a while. But as God sets us free from the self-hate and hurt, our life becomes richer. Let this process begin.