Hey there,

Wow! You’ve made it to week four! We’ve covered a lot of topics, and I hope that you find yourself a little lighter, a little less limited by your past and your hurts. 

This week I want to talk about your mistakes. And other people’s mistakes. 

Have you forgiven yourself for things you may’ve said or things you’ve done, decisions you’ve made?

Make a list of the mistakes you feel you have a hard time letting go of. Like somehow if you keep holding it over your head maybe you won’t do it again? Or because it was so horrendous you just can’t possibly let it go? You can’t forgive yourself? 

Little by little, you can choose to forgive. Forgive yourself for the day, try it on and see how it feels. How would your day be different if you forgave yourself today? Would your mood be lifted? Would your interactions with others be more positive and jovial? Would your expectations of yourself and others be affected? Would you try something new? Try something again?

How about your forgiveness of others…are there people in your life that you just haven’t been able to forgive? Write them a letter (you don’t have to send it to them) and express your feelings. Practice forgiving. Each day you can practice until it happens and you feel it. 

What has it meant to you to hold on to your anger, bitterness, resentment etc? Has it empowered you? Do you feel stronger because you’re angry? These emotions may give you a false sense of strength, but it is based on fear, so it is not real deep-down strength. 

There is strength in letting go. There is a Chinese proverb that states remaining bitter and angry is like drinking a cup of poison and waiting for your enemy to die. 

Remaining angry and unforgiving hurts you first and foremost. 

This takes time, but you can choose today to begin forgiving. 

Life is so much lighter when we do not carry around with us the weight of keeping score, taking judgement, and not forgiving. 

Truth Section

“None of us should be defined by the worst thing we’ve ever done.” -Kevin Duncan

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” -Dave Willis

“Relationships don’t thrive because the guilty are punished, but because the wounded are merciful.” -Max Lucado

I Corinthian 13:5 “Love keeps no record of wrongs.”

“They caused the first wound, but you are causing the rest; this is what not forgiving does.” Bryant McGill

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does change the future.” -Anonymous

“Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.” -Martin Luther King, Jr. 

“Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet.” -Maya Angelou

When you choose to forgive those who have hurt you, you take away their power. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.

“Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” -Beyonce