God’s Love for Us
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam. 3:22-23 ESV)
Do you ruminate over missteps? Does it lead to thinking back over your life and replaying all the big mistakes you’ve made over the years? Do you continue to feel worse and worse about yourself until you think you must be the most unworthy person in the world? Surely it’s not just me.
In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul’s thoughts spiraled downward as he considered his tendency to do what he didn’t want to do and fail to do what he ought to do (Rom. 7:15-20). Fully mired in the weightiness of his sinful nature, he cried out in verse twenty-four, “Wretched man that I am!” Tell me that doesn’t strike close to home.
More than once, I’ve forgotten to complete a task I promised to do. And more than once, my slip-up has shadowed me for days or weeks. The reminder that I let someone down plays on repeat. Instead of acknowledging that I’m imperfect, my brain continues to spiral with negative thoughts–I’m unreliable, I’m flaky, I’m stupid for forgetting, the person will never trust me again, I’ve ruined the friendship. On and on and on it goes until that one mistake becomes a part of my identity.
Many of us are excellent at beating ourselves up for our failures. We’re also subpar at acknowledging our successes. Of course, achievements don’t blot out or cover up our mistakes, but just as a win is fleeting, so, too, should our mistakes fade into our history.
A person can be generally kind but occasionally snap at another person because of stress, tiredness, or hunger. It doesn’t mean that they should now be labeled cruel. We all have the capacity to demonstrate the uglier characteristics of humanity and do on unfortunate occasions. It doesn’t mean we should allow those instances to define us.
God doesn’t want that for us. He has done everything he can to show us that fresh starts are possible. Each day, each hour, each minute, God offers us the chance to be renewed. The verse above states that his mercies are new every morning and that they never end. If God’s mercy is continual, then we can receive it at any time. God’s love for us is always available, ready for us to wrap ourselves up in it instead of wrapping ourselves in the self-condemnation we are prone to.
Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we let the negative stick to us while the positive glances off? Why can’t we remember all that God has said to us and about us regarding our value?
God tells us he loves us more than the birds and plants for whom he richly provides. His Word tells us over and over that his love is vast and incalculable. David proclaimed that there was nowhere he could go that would put him beyond God’s love and care.
What if we were to practice focusing our thoughts on God’s love instead of on our mistakes? What if, when we mess up, instead of letting our mistake spin around in our minds, we switched the channel and filled our minds with the truths of Scripture? What if we remembered the end of Paul’s rant on personal sin where he asks and answers a pivotal question. “Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:24-75 ESV)
Let’s choose to get off the carousel of self-condemnation and onto the reliable train of God’s love. When we’re fully embraced by the love of God, everything falls into proper perspective. We remember we are more than our worst mistakes. One bad day doesn’t have to define the rest of our year. God’s mercy and love are always available to us if we’re willing to accept them.
Father, forgive me for my shortsightedness when all I can see are my mistakes. Help me to let go of my failures and grasp firmly to your mercy and grace. May your lavish love drown my self-condemnation and help me see hope and find a fresh start. Thank you for your love that never fails. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Ps. 139: 7-9 NIV)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39 ESV)
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. (2 Timothy 1:9 NIV)
Reach for More
If you struggle with a tendency to beat yourself up over mistakes, record several Bible verses that speak of God’s love and grace. Keep them where they can be easily retrieved and reviewed. Consider memorizing one or two of them.
enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and introverting. She loves nothing better than discovering a wanted book in a thrift store or hiking alongside a river with her family or a good friend somewhere around her home of Asheville, NC. She’s the author of Between Us Girls and can be found chronicling her reading and writing journey @megan.e.byrd on Instagram or writing about life at www.meganbyrd.net.
Photograph © Houcine Ncib, used with permission
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