I prayed for God to help me to forgive me. As soon as I asked for his help, I shook my head in disappointment. I asked myself, “How many times are you going to ask God the same thing over and over. Why can’t you just learn to stop doing these things that cause you to be in need of forgiveness?” This sidebar conversation with myself, in the middle of my prayer, went on for a bit. My final thought to myself was, “God has got to be saying, look at this poor pitiful soul.”

None of that dialogue shocked me because that’s what happens when you talk to you about you. When you are going through emotionally, physically or mentally, don’t rely on your own internal conversation to make you feel better. Most of the time you reinforce your own thoughts and forget to remember what God has and is saying about you. 

The Holy Spirit being right on time as he usually is, whispered to me 70 x 7.

I kind of grappled with what that seemed liked a cryptic or half spoken message. Then it hit me. The very thing I was begging God for moments ago, the Holy Spirit affirmed, unlimited forgiveness.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Matthew 18:21-22 ESV

Some translations say, “seventy times seven.” 

This scripture is instructing us to forgive others, but I believe it was dropped in my spirit because if we are told to forgive others outwardly, then we can use that same scripture to forgive inwardly (ourselves). God would not tell us to do anything He wouldn’t do or hasn’t done himself. 

It’s fine to accept conviction to do better, but do not accept condemnation because that is not from God. That is the enemy trying immobilize you with shame and unworthiness.

So the next time you are beating yourself up over personal mistakes or are being reminded of past mistakes that bring you shame, be steadfast and speak to yourself yourself “70 x 7.” Follow that by thanking the Lord for being forgiving, limitless and strong enough to lead you to repentance.

Related Scriptures

• Psalms 86:5
• Mark 11:25
• Psalms 103:12
• Matthew 6:14

See you next week!