There are days I mess up and make mistakes.
Like the time I didn’t stop and talk with a friend in need because I was in a hurry, and her feelings were hurt. Or when I accidentally set the fresh baked Apple Pie Cake on the stove top, only to hear a popping sound, followed by an explosion of glass and cake. I had left the burner on….you can only imagine the mess I had to clean up.
Thankfully God, the PERFECT ONE, loves me despite the mistakes I make. He loves me despite the busyness that I get wrapped up in or the judgmental thoughts that cross my mind when dealing with a situation.
He loves me when I don’t right a wrong quickly enough; when I procrastinate on a project that means I could miss a deadline, or when I’m short on patience with my girl child.
But God knows me. He knows my past, my present, and my future. And, He knows I’m a work in progress.
I’ve never been one to make excuses. Instead, I choose to make a way. I set out to repair the damage, correct the misstep, and use my experiences to avoid making the same mistake again.
Our mistakes are of the flesh and our Heavenly Father knows that.
“It’s important to understand that no matter how badly we mess up, God always gives us a chance to redeem ourselves and start with a clean slate.”
We are told in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The words confess and cleanse lay the groundwork for a fresh start and and give us hope for a new beginning.
If we are to live our life as Christ, then confession should be our chosen way to express our trust in Him and ask for forgiveness. God is waiting for us to lay our messes at His feet and ‘fess’ up and come clean. We’re not keeping anything a secret from Him. But, instead of acknowledging what went wrong and owning it, our flesh side finds it much easier to lay low and hope no one notices the mess we’ve made.
Cleansing allows us the opportunity to rid ourselves of something toxic or unhealthy. So if we are going to make significant change then we must think healthy thoughts, concentrate on positive actions, and skip the propensity we sometimes have to shoot from the hip, giving little thought to the consequences that follow.
After all, what if our mistakes affected our life or someone else’s life in a drastic way? What if we made mistakes or choices that hurt the ones we love most?
In God’s eyes, nothing is too big to be forgiven.
If there were ever a shining example of forgiveness, hope, and redemption, it is found in the life of King David. Despite the messes he created and the mistakes he made, God redeemed him and restored their relationship. In Psalm 51 David laid out his prayers and petitions before God, seeking forgiveness, restoration, and renewal.
It is my faith in God that assures me that I am the clay in His ‘potter’ hands. It is He who molds me to be more like Him. I’m pretty sure there are days when He could pound me on the head for making a bonehead move, but I’m also certain that He desires that I never become immersed in such deep guilt, that I forget the future holds so much promise.
It is comforting to live the words of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
We can be grateful for the chance to face our mistakes, accept them, and learn from them.
Here are 6 verses to hold close to your heart to help ease the pain of making mistakes.
- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
- “So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
- “Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.” (Philippians 4:6-7 )
- “Whoever tries to hide his sins will not succeed, but the one who confesses his sins and leaves them behind will find mercy. Happy is the one who always fears the Lord, but the person who hardens his heart to God falls into misfortune.” (Proverbs 28:13-14)
- “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 )
Prayer: Father God, as I come to you, completely and freely giving you my messes, I pray for forgiveness and mercy as I acknowledge my shortcomings and poor decisions that keep me from doing Your Will. Thank you for your grace and unconditional love as I relinquish my worries to You and recognize that You Alone are the keeper of my heart. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to start over and for giving me a peace that passes all understanding. In Your Name I pray, Amen!
AMEN!!! God is always taking my messes and making me into His masterpiece!! Thanks for this great reminder!
Thank you friend! I probably keep God busy in the mercy and grace department…..but I’m so thankful for His unconditional love.
Beautiful encouragement here today, friend. It’s so good to remember we’re works in progress. I love how you mention that confession and cleansing is an opportunity to get rid of toxic stuff we carry around inside.
Thank you Betsy! I’m always encouraged by your words and support and I am so thankful that God knows I’m a work in progress. Sometimes I believe He shakes His head, and says, “Now, Mitzi…..”