Moving Past Your Mistakes

We all make mistakes. We are humans, and none of us are perfect. We have all done or said things that we regret.

At one point in our lives, I’m sure we’ve wished we could go back in time and erase something we’ve said or done, something that was really small, or a big mistake or even life-changing.

We can’t change the past, but we can shape our present and future as we want it to look like. Mistakes and unforgiveness are terrible weights that can hold us down and keep us from truly experiencing the life God has for us.

One important thing to remember is that you are so much more than your past mistakes. Forgiving yourself is one of the most important things you can do.

So, give yourself permission to truly love yourself, to move past your mistakes and to live your best life.

Here are seven ways to move past your mistakes and forge ahead in your life.

Recognize and Admit Your Mistake:

Nothing can ever really change for the better unless you understand why, when, and how the error occurred. It’s vital you take time to think things through.

Blaming others can keep you from learning from your mistakes. You can’t be set free from something you adamantly deny. So, recognize and admit your mistakes, then learn and grow from them.

Get Right with God:

Once you recognize and admit that you’ve made a mistake, remember to ask God for His forgiveness. The most important part of the process of overcoming is receiving His forgiveness for those mistakes.

Simply ask Him. He loves you more than words can possibly express. He will accept you and give you the peace, grace, and wisdom you need to move forward for good. Trust and remain in Him.

Make Restitution:

Identify those who have been hurt by your choices and be determined to make amends. Resist the urge to justify your actions or explain why you acted in the manner that you did.

Trust God to have the courage and wisdom to effectively apologize and carry out actions that show how deeply repentant you are.

They might push you away vehemently at first, yet your relentless prayers and love will break through their anger and pain and earn their forgiveness. 

Forgive Yourself:

Don’t beat yourself up because of your mistakes! This is a ploy of the enemy to keep you grounded in grief and despair. Trust in the finished work of Jesus on the cross for you.

He has already bore all of your guilt and shame. Forgive yourself as He has forgiven you.

Become Better:

Make conscious efforts never to repeat those errors. Avoid situations, locations and even people who will lure you into making the same mistakes again. Seek and follow advice from godly and seasoned people, if you can find a mentor. 

Employ the valuable skills of diligence and discipline, letting God’s Word be your ultimate guide in every single aspect of your life. Let your character become transformed for the better.

Help Others Avoid Overcome Similar Mistakes:

Never underestimate the value of your experiences. In addition to helping yourself overcome your mistakes, God has also given you the ability to help others overcome similar issues.

Don’t be silent. You have the opportunity to guide those who need to hear your story.

Use Mistakes as Stepping Stones:

Move on! Refuse to lament. Let go of limitations, and stop seeing them as disadvantages. Instead, view them as opportunities to move forward. You can do it because God is on your side; He is always ready to help you.

No matter how far gone you think the situation is, no matter how many mistakes you have made, you can move past your mistakes and start again.

These seven steps are sure to move you past the darkness of your mistakes and into the glorious future the Lord has in store for you.

Beloved, let go and let God. 

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have I already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold for me” (Philippians 3:12).

With love, Grace