I don't think I need to remind any of you that we live in an imperfect world. With an imperfect world comes imperfect people. Too many of us strive to have some type of perfect record and too many of us have a hard time accepting defeat. Life is a series of trial and error; it is absolutely impossible for any of us to go through life without making mistakes. You can ask anyone who knows me, my worst flaw is holding unreasonably lengthy grudges. When someone hurts us, one of the hardest things to do is to forgive them. When you mess up, it's even harder to forgive yourself.

I think we all know what it's like to do something stupid. We all know what it's like to not be ourselves and to put ourselves in situations that we never thought we would be in. It may be too late to take back your mistakes, but it's never too late to ask for forgiveness. In order to receive peace, you have to give peace. I have hurt, I have been bitter and angry, I have lost every ounce of what faith is before. I have lost every value I have ever had before. Living a life without Christ was the darkest and scariest place I have ever been. I didn't want to forgive those who hurt me because I didn't think they deserved it. I didn't want to forgive myself for the wrong I had done because I didn't think I deserved it. I suffered in my stubbornness and I suffered without letting God completely in my heart. I had to hit rock bottom to finally realize that I needed to forgive. Not just those who hurt me, but myself.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

You may think that the ex who broke your heart may not deserve your forgiveness. The best friend who betrayed you may not deserve your forgiveness. The person who abused you may not deserve your forgiveness. But as off as it sounds, they do. Because you deserve peace. God wants to give it to you. You just have to be willing to want that for yourself, too.

I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. The circumstances you face in life, even the bad ones, happen to strengthen you and to build you up. Don't let your mistakes define you because they don't. They show that you are human and that you don't always do the right thing because you are not perfect. No one should expect perfection from you and I wish someone would have reminded me of this a long time ago. Take what you learned from your not-so-smart situations and use it as a building block to becoming the best you that you can be.

I'm not here to tell you that forgiveness is easy because it's not. It's a process. But the result, my friends, is glorious. It may take you a while to forgive your ex-boyfriend or your ex-best friend, but at least you're trying. Because life goes on, it doesn't stop for your bumps and bruises. Forgiving them does not make you weak, it makes you strong. You won't even look at the world the same afterward. You will be a completely different person. God wants us to love everyone, even the people who may not deserve your love; but if you don't want to hurt anymore, you have to forgive those who have hurt you so God can forgive you. Once He forgives you of that mistake you made or those words you said that may haunt you at night or that you can't stop thinking about, you will finally be free.

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15.

Other people don't hold you back from what you want. The only person keeping you away from what you deserve is you.

Love yourself always, mistakes and all. They make you who you are. Aim for happiness. You are your own unique story that is continually being written. And let's be honest, no one likes a boring story.