Unforgiveness and the Burden We Carry

I was thinking about unforgiveness this morning and just thinking about what a hold it can have on us. Do you know that it isn't just forgiving others for what they have done in the past, it is forgiving ourselves as well. We ask other people to forgive us of our wrongs and we ask God to forgive us of our sins, but have you ever looked at your own life and been unable to let go of your past mistakes/sins?

I know for me, there was a time when I had walked on the dark side of life. I repented of those things, I asked others to forgive me of the wrongs I did against them, but until I forgive myself; those things are always present on can weigh me down. God talks about forgiveness in the Bible a lot. He talks about how it is better to forgive then to hold a grudge. I have to wonder, if we do not forgive ourselves of the very thing that we are forgiven for, if we can cause isolation from the presents of God.

Repentance is making 180 degree turn from them and leaving the sins at the cross. If I continue to carry the burden of my sins with me, I am not trusting God to take them and I will carry them until the day I finally realize that I do not have to anymore. God sent His son Jesus to take the burdens from us, when we repent and confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness. But am I still carrying the burden of my sins? I need to leave them at the cross, to leave them at the feet of Jesus, because He wants me to be free from my past, so that I can live in His presence, in the present and His future plan for me. He says

1. Psalm 55:22 says "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." God is glad to carry your burdens and give you the daily strength you need.
2. Isaiah 58:6 "“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" It’s not God’s will that you should be crushed down with excessive burdens; let Him free you today.
3. Matthew 11:28-30 "28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”" Jesus will remove your heavy burden of guilt and hopelessness and give you true rest in Him.
4. Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." God promises to support and help you through every trial.
5. 1 Peter 5:6-7 "6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Just knowing your heavenly Father cares about you personally can make any load seem lighter.
6. Isaiah 46:4 "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." The Lord desires to constantly support you throughout your life, with the intention of saving you eternally.
7. Isaiah 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." The Good Shepherd will gladly bear you in His gentle arms right now. We are His flock.
8. Psalm 34:17 "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." If you belong to Him, God will always listen when you call to Him for help.
9. Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Through faith His strength becomes yours, and He reaches out to keep you from falling.
10. Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." When God has lightened your burdens, He asks you to do the same for others.