1 Corinthians 15:10 is among one of my favorite Bible verses. And no, it’s not because my name is integrated into the verse that I love it so much. It’s because of the small phrase “by the grace of God,” as it provides us with the promise of a second chance. I know that this small phrase is quoted like a million times throughout the Bible, but I guess you can just take this as one of the many ways it’s presented.

The reason I bring up this promise of a second chance is because of the desperate need for a second chance. This time, not for someone else in your life, but for you. I think that we often fail to look at our own reflection and forgive ourselves for the mistakes that we have made. We fail to practice grace and mercy on ourselves.

We talk about forgiveness all the time as a test of morality. Our moral compasses and our maturity revolve around our ability to forgive. The catch here is that we mean our ability to forgive others, not ourselves. But I think that our biggest mistake above all is that we refuse to give ourselves a second chance. Maybe you’re quick to give others second chances, but have you ever given yourself one?

There is hardly ever a time where it is too late to start over, to forgive a misstep you’ve made, to make a change.

It’s a lot easier said than done to start over.

But it’s okay to start over --to fail and try again. It’s more than alright to admit that you need to make a change.

Above all, it’s okay not to be okay.

Strength is not measured by the number of successes you have, nor is it measured by accomplishments. Strength is measured by the number of times you screw up, and then try again. It’s measured by the number of times you did something that scared you for once --something that really scared you.

Weakness is your friend within your comfort zone, but strength becomes your dance partner as you enter discomfort.

I don’t think that life is easy whatsoever, but I think it becomes even more difficult when you’re your own worst enemy. The only consistent physical person who will stick by your side for forever is yourself, so you might as well fall in love with the individual in the mirror, and the person you are on the inside. And if you’re not your biggest fan, then it’s okay to embark on becoming that for yourself.

Second chances are just as honorable as the first chance. And sometimes you need third chances, and fourth chances, but you keep moving forward, and you keep forgiving.