We All Make Mistakes

Have you ever made a mistake, and no one got hurt or even noticed? Or perhaps no one bothered to point it out to you. But you still know. And it nags at you. The intrusive thoughts enter at inconvenient times. When you’ve snuggled in, your eyes are closed, the alarm clock is set, the coffee pot is ready for the morning, but you can’t stop thinking about why.

Why did I get that wrong? I knew the answer but didn’t produce.

Or maybe you see someone who may know what you did. Then you spend the rest of the day repeating the conversation in your head wondering if they didn’t bring it up because they were wondering if you would and now they know you are hiding from the truth. Who else are they going to tell? Then eventually everyone will know.

It was a small thing yet, there it lingers.

It’s time to come clean.

You will feel better.

The Lord gave us the words to speak. To Him. In the Scriptures you can find, in Matthew chapter 6, where Jesus gave us instruction on how to pray. He said to pray “in secret.” The Lord will see. He already knows what is on your mind and in your heart, but He wants to hear from you. Even if He hears the same thing over and over again, He wants to hear from you. From Matthew 6:9-15:

Jesus said, “Pray then, like this:

Our father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive others their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Do you see what is happening here? If we forgive, we will be forgiven. That mistake. The misstep that you cannot stop worrying about. Give it to God. We don’t even need to share the details, although sometimes that is helpful too, for our benefit. And because He is inviting us talk to Him.

What is on your mind? What do you need to let go of? Can it really be that easy? Scroll back up. Read the prayer. Read it out loud. Read it over and over until it is impressed upon your heart.

Give it to God. Let it go. Forgive and be forgiven. Jesus already did the work. Be free.

Let’s grow together. contact@janisjakino.com