Date: 05/08/2023

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This week’s key phrase is Self-Forgiveness for Secret Hurts.

We hear a lot about the importance of forgiving those who have harmed us, but what about forgiving ourselves? Is that important as well? When we harm someone, it is normal and healthy to feel bad about it, to experience regret and to wish we could take it back or do something to make the person feel better. What isn’t healthy is to continually beat ourselves up for our offense and to determine that we are a bad person because of it. I believe that self-forgiveness is the most powerful step you can take to rid yourself of debilitating shame. This is particularly true for those who have been abused, but it applies to everyone. Self-forgiveness is not only recommended but absolutely essential if we wish to become emotionally healthy and have peace of mind.

Yet, the interesting thing is, the Bible has absolutely no mention of it at all! There are no verses telling us we need to forgive ourselves. Sure, there is the second great commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” which implies some self-love and self-care. So often we wallow in guilt and shame, long after we have asked Jesus to forgive us. If I can get one point across to you today it’s simply this, “Forgive yourself and Set YOURSELF Free!” You hold the power to your own freedom in your grasp today. It’s the power of forgiveness. As we bask in God’s forgiving love, we will be able to let go of those pesky regrets and persistent doubts, and finally accept ourselves again, as creatures who are flawed but still precious in God’s sight.

Let’s look at Peter, it must have been embarrassing for all to know how quickly he turned to self-preservation mode. But his story is important because we can identify with him. We also seek self-preservation. And Peter’s story gives us hope of forgiveness, hope of recovery from guilt and shame, and a healthy shift to serving God by serving others. Peter could have been like Judas. He could have allowed himself to be so full of sorrow and remorse that he went out and committed suicide. But he didn’t. Even when he was full of shame, Peter kept coming back to Jesus. And that’s what we need to do, when we’re overwhelmed with guilt and shame: come back to Jesus. What about you? Jesus’ last words to Peter in today’s story are simply, “Follow me!” 

In closing, Are you ready to follow Jesus, regardless of the price? Are you ready to be accepted by the One who recognizes us as flawed but precious? Are you ready for him to forgive all your sin and put you back into service? Let’s pray about it. Heavenly Father, we are humbled by Peter’s story. We find ourselves in it, as we contemplate the failures in our own lives. Yet, you are a God who consistently uses flawed people to do your work, from angry Moses to prideful Joseph, scared Esther, timid Gideon; to us today. God, you used them, despite their flaws. Use us, Lord. Forgive us as we bring our sin to you, and help us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are forgiven and called to serve out of our brokenness, relying on your Holy Spirit’s  power to strengthen us to do Your will, in Your son Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray, Amen. Until next week let us remember, “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop