Step 5 – admitting to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. For many of us the thought of doing this did not bring us peace. However, after completing this step, the experience of so many is that deep peace settles in their heart. Why is that?
We may feel that we have done such horrible things or hurt people so badly that there is no way our sins could be blotted out entirely. However, God promises us: “Come now, let’s settle this,” … “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NLT). What a relief it is to finally give up the weight of our lies and excuses. When we repent, receive God’s forgiveness and choose to live in truth, we will find the internal peace that we lost so long ago.
God forgives. God cleans our hearts. God gives us a new start. Shame and guilt are dealt with when we receive God’s forgiveness. No wonder we experience deep peace. God says: “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. (Isaiah 43:25 NLT)
Part of the recovery process is accepting complete forgiveness from God and choosing to live at peace with God, others, and ourselves. We may fall into the trap of reminding ourselves of our failures, but in God’s eyes we are clean when we have admitted the error of our ways, acknowledge our need of saving and forgiving, and surrender our will and our lives to the redeeming work of Jesus. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NLT)
Let’s live in the peace of God’s forgiveness today.
©2016 Partners in Hope
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