My Mistakes Become Stepping Stones to My Success.
Have you ever made a mistake? If you say no, you’re on the wrong website.
Sis, we all make mistakes. The thing is, most of us are so much more willing to forgive everyone else and excuse away their “oops” moments than to do the same for ourselves.
(Side note: If you’re one of the few who still live in the Mean Girls world, laughing or obsessing over everyone else’s mistakes and ignoring your own, you’re probably on the wrong page, too. This page is all about forgiveness, love, and encouragement.)
Your mistakes don’t define you.
While that forgiving side of you is so beautiful, you need to take moment and reflect it back on yourself. What have you done that, if someone else told you they did the same exact thing, you’d accuse them of the harsh words you tell yourself?
Tell Me More…
Let’s think about that for a minute. Your best friend calls you up and says that they:
Lied to their kids to get them to behave
Got drunk last night and are beating themselves up today
Cheated on their spouse years ago and never told anyone
Snowballed their debt until they can’t foresee a way out of it
Doubt God exists and wants help growing their faith, but are too ashamed to admit it
Or any of a million other things that could happen, or have happened to you that you don’t forgive yourself for.
Shocked face
Which of those mistakes would you tell them were unforgivable? None? So why can’t you forgive yourself or believe that other people would give you the same love back?
But What About God? Can He Forgive You?
I don’t claim to be an expert in faith — I’m still growing in my walk with God. But one thing you will never convince me of is that there is anything God won’t forgive if we humble ourselves and ask.
This is Biblical (ESV):
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
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. (Matthew 6:14-15)
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7)
Remember: Your mistakes may have been intended by the enemy for harm, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…(Genesis 50:20).
I can promise you this: When God was planning your life, He already took into account all your screw-ups. All the times you were going to fall off His perfect path for you. All the mistakes you made in the past, and all the ones you are still going to make.
And yet…There is nothing you can do that He hasn’t already foreseen and adjusted to use for good. You just aren’t that powerful. (No offense.)
Now, it’s time for you to see your mistakes as lessons learned —stepping stones to your success.
Neuroscience Even Says Mistakes Are Beneficial!
Research on the brain and how it impacts our decisions and actions shows that mistakes can be helpful.
It takes about one second for the brain to recognize an error. Once it does, it engages in the process of establishing connections to ensure it doesn’t make similar future errors.
Example: Pretend you’re a baker and you touched a hot pan when you pulled cookies out of the oven. Instead of wallowing in your mistake, your brain is connecting the pain to the action, and you can be sure that next time, you’ll remember to wear a mitt.
Now imagine if you never made cookies again (or used the oven) because of that one mistake. Spiral: You stop baking and lose customers. Your bakery shop closes down. You lose your income, and, eventually, your house.
Silly, right? But where are you letting your mistakes take control of your story and keep you from doing the big, amazing things you and only you are capable of doing?
Self-forgiveness creates space for a new narrative. It’s time to write a new story. You are made of magic — the blood of Jesus — in God’s image. You have something special to offer the world.
Affirmations and Moving Forward
Say these out loud. No, really. Out loud and proud!
I forgive me of all the mistakes I’ve made and those I’ll make in the future when I’m not perfect.
I love and forgive myself.
I am enough.
Now go out there and do the wonderful things you know God is calling you to do.
