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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

When you have asked God for forgiveness, HOW do you then forgive yourself? How do you ever get past it?

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Answer 1

JWservant8: 6 months ago via Android

Excellent question. It will help you to forgive yourself if you understand the extent to which God forgives. Also remember we are not perfect and we will without a doubt make mistakes. The latter part of Jeremiah 31:34 tells us; "For I shall forgive their error, and their sin I shall remember it no more". If God will forget your sin, try your best to do so, ask him for his help in prayer. God expects "your" best not perfection, He remembers we are dust (Psalms 103:14). We want to remember Jesus died in order for our sins to be forgiven us as brought out at Matthew 26:28 which says, " for this means my blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins". We don't want to in a sense, by not forgiving ourselves, say thtat Jesus could not cover our sins, that his sacrafice was not enough. God is very merciful and kind, always reflect on that. visit www.jw.org

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

That was a very kind answer. Thank you. Why do us humans tend to be so very hard on ourselves?

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TheHarem: 6 months ago via iPhone

Excellent! :)

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JWservant8: 6 months ago via Android

I am glad my answer was somewhat helpful. There are a few reasons we are hard on ourselves. One is Satan promotes that type of thinking, he wants us to feel inadequate and incapable of serving God, and meeting His requirements. Another reason is our own imperfection, the same thing that caused us to make the mistake in the first place. The bible explains at Romans 7:21-23 an issue the apostle Paul had similar to what we go through, struggling with his imperfections. It says: " I find, then, this law in my case; that when I wish to do what is right what is bad is present with me. I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, but I behold another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sins law that is in my members". But Romans 7:25 goes on to say: " Thanks to God through Christ Jesus our Lord! So, then, with my mind I myself am a slave to God's law, but with my flesh to sins law". Paul realized he has to live with imperfection but thanks to Jesus' sacrafice and with Gods help he could worship God acceptably. Also don't be too discouraged if you remember some mistake from time to time, it is healthy, means your conscience is working. But if it overwhelms you, then prayer and reading and reflecting on Gods word will bring you much comfort.

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

Very, very well said.

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Answer 2

bowma: 6 months ago

Sometimes, if you can, it helps to talk to a religious leader.

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

I think you're right, I need to do that.

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Answer 3

tonifitch: 6 months ago

By trusting in God.If HE, who is all good and caring, can forgive you, then you must forgive yourself or you will be insulting your God.
As a Catholic, I confess my sins to a priest, who has God's assurance of forgiving in HIS name. Move on, work hard help others and you will get pass it.Remember HE has forgiven you.....the end..Next chapter...God bless

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

I was talking to a loved one earlier tonight who carries deep guilt constantly concerning her past. I told her that God has forgiven her. But then I realized that she cannot forgive herself, then upon further thought, I realized that I myself have asked God for forgiveness, but I, like her, have not forgiven myself. So I really could not comfort her or myself.

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tonifitch: 6 months ago

Many have that issue..It is being scrupulous..I am getting much better with being that way. You can get help by talking to any priest [if Catholic] or Minister etc.
The thing to remember is Jesus died to save us. God the Father wants all his children [us] to go to heaven but we have to believe in his mercy and trust that HE will always forgive us when we are truly sorry for our sins. We must never doubt his promise. You would be wasting your life to dwell in the past instead of moving forward and helping others while helping yourself do God's work :)

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

Yes, your words are so true. Thank you.

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tonifitch: 6 months ago

You are most welcome...Don't be so hard on yourself:) Have a good weel...

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Answer 4

WafflesAndBF3: 6 months ago via Android

God always forgives.
For I do not believe in sin,

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Answer 5

Pontes: 6 months ago via iPhone

First you have to forgive yourself and others....Then God will forgive you.

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

I am very thankful that HE forgives. I need to always keep his forgiveness in mind.

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Answer 6

Jerusalem07: 6 months ago via iPhone

If God can forgive me; then who am I to not forgive myself?

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Answer 7

PsalmBody: 6 months ago via iPhone

When You Surrender Yourself
To The Spirit of Christ, He
Then Will Do H I s
Work To Get You
To Know it Is
Forgiven,
Gone.

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Answer 8

w1963bobby: 6 months ago via iPhone

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 KJV) =========================================But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)

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bettyeckles: 6 months ago via iPhone

Very good

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friendofbill: 6 months ago via Android

The answer is in the Book! Thanks for sharing my Savior with the World today.

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w1963bobby: 6 months ago via iPhone

Amen!

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Answer 9

Deb001: 6 months ago

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons so many of God's children are living defeated lives, is because of guilt. Guilt is one of Satan's biggest weapons against us. It tears us down, it makes us feel dirty, unworthy, robs of us of our faith and confidence in Christ Jesus. Jesus not only came to cleanse us from our sins, but also set us free from the guilt of our sins. If you want to live a life of spiritual victory, you need to have a conscience freed from the guilt of your past.Satan loves to torment God's people by reminding them of their pasts, and continually holding their sins before them even after their sins have been forgiven. This is condemnation and there is no good that comes out of it whatsoever. It tears us down, makes us feel dirty, unworthy and robs of us of our faith and confidence in Christ Jesus. It's a lie from the father of lies, and it needs to be ignored.Your forgiving let it go.

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Answer 10

Richest1: 6 months ago

First, it is not unusual to continue to feel guilty after confessing our sins to God. We need to realize that God desires to give us a 'clean' conscience, not a 'clear' conscience. I think we realize the difference by reading, studying, meditating verses on God's forgiveness (Ps 130:3-4, Micah 7:18, Romans 4:7, 1 John 1:9). Memorize 1 John 1:9 and meditate on each word.
I think we forget that God is faithful and just to forgive...and cleanse. When I hold onto guilt, what I am really doing is saying that God was not just to forgive so I hold onto it. (i.e. I don't deserve forgiveness, which is true btw, we do not deserve it; that it why it is called grace). This is like saying my standard is higher than God's, and really, the root of it is pride. True humility admits to God that I am a sinner, I do not deserve forgiveness, Christ paid for all sins and it is on that basis I can be forgiven and forgive myself. (Eph 1:7, Heb 9:14). We are free from sin; it takes time meditating on God's truths for the Holy Spirit to turn those truths into our experience. God bless.

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tonifitch: 6 months ago

nice:)

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

Thank you Richest, those are very inspiring words. I will keep re-reading this and these other helpful answers I have received to this most troubling issue I am dealing with.

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Answer 11

bettyeckles: 6 months ago via iPhone

If you dont forgive yourself you can never move on

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

Yes Betty, one could become stagnant. An unpleasant thought.

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Answer 12

staycat: 6 months ago

Just by faith you forgive your self because God forgave you and He is greater than you and your thoughts

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florabellehayes: 6 months ago via iPhone

Thank you, Staycat. Faith is the key here.

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