Dear Love,
In 1 Corinthians 13:5, when God said love keeps no record of wrongs, I think that also applies to us.
As Christians, we don't live a life without convictions. God doesn't play about us, but He also doesn't play with us either.
In His Word, it says, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11–12).
None of us are above correction, but shame is not of the Lord.
He is a forgiving, loving Father.
The entire Bible is one long, living love story of truth, factual history, grace, mercy, forgiveness, restoration, and so much more.
God shows us how much He loves us for thousands of pages. So, if your Father forgives you, why can't you forgive yourself?
If you brought everything to Him and repented of your sins, why are you still carrying that dead weight?
Stop carrying every single thing you've done into every season. In His Word, He says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Also, don't let anyone else define you by your past or your worst moment. That's not all that you are. They are not the Alpha and the Omega. I pray we always remember that we are His sons and daughters.
Set yourself free.
Breathe.
It's okay.
We've all made mistakes. We all fall short of the glory of God every single day. Let God define you, love on you, and tell you who you are.
Leave all that shame and guilt at His feet.
Commit to doing better going forward, and if you think you can't, ask God to help you.
Remember, in Matthew 19:26, Jesus says, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
What you can't do, He can.
Prayer is our direct line of communication with our Father. Like caterpillars, we are evolving and changing. We are unfinished. We are His butterflies.
Go talk to Him. Include Him in everything.
Don't forget your prayers.
All my love,
Lisa Ford
