When I was younger, my little sister and I got along fairly well. But every once in awhile there would be something that would really set one of us off. She would take a Barbie, or steal my favorite crayon when I wasn’t looking, and it was World War III in that play room. And if we ever raised our voices about it loud enough for our parents to hear, they’d be standing in between us within seconds, giving me my least-favorite talk as a child: the forgiveness speech. I would squint my tiny blue eyes and pout my lip until I finally squeaked out a very quiet “I forgive you.”

And it didn’t take much longer than another minute for us to be right back to playing peacefully again. Forgiving was a breeze back then. And as an adult, forgiving others proves challenging at times, but I’ve come to find that the person that most of us find real trouble forgiving, is ourselves.

I have met so many amazing people that give grace out to others like candy, but can’t ever seem to forgive themselves for the sins of their past. But the Undefeated King of the Universe forgave us far before we ever failed Him.

We know this, but still struggle with forgiving ourselves. Christ fought the battle against your sins and mine and defeated them long before we were even born. We are new in Him; white as snow. Free from guilt and shame, reborn in grace and love. So when you are struggling with believing these truths yourself or applying them to your own life, here are some loving reminders that apply always and forever.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." - Ephesians 1:7

"knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." - 1 Peter 1:18-19

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." - Colossians 1:13-14

"Lord but with you there is forgiveness, so that you may be revered... For there is faithful love with the Lord, and with him is redemption in abundance." - Psalms 130:4-7

Take a deep breath. Your battle has already been fought and won. Praise God for redemption and grace, and accept the love for freely given to you.