Hi friend,

I'm not sure what prompted you to click on this resource, but I choose to believe God guided you here for a purpose. You may be checking out all the resources on this page, and that's great! Bookmark this resource page if you'd like to revisit it.

If you're here because your heart is heavy, I'm so glad you're here. Your heart has carried a mistake or failure from your past for years. Others know, or maybe you've kept it a secret. We often keep secrets because we don't feel safe telling the truth or are afraid of the consequences. You may believe that the memory of your mistake will fade away if you don't say anything.

The problem is your sin doesn't go away if you don't deal with it. Our bodies hold the heavy weight of guilt and shame. Each time you inhale or exhale a breath, it feels like 1000 lbs of crushing weight sitting on your chest.

Have you wondered if God can forgive you? Maybe others haven't forgiven you, so you assume God won't either. You're wrong. It doesn't matter how badly you've messed up; you must know this truth: God forgives.

How do you begin letting go of the weight of sin and shame? Let's turn to God's Word to establish what you need to know - or remember.

STEP #1: Make sure you understand how God sees you.

God Loves You Unconditionally

I (God) have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I (God) have drawn you to myself. -Jeremiah 31:3 NLT

No power in the sky above or the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:39 NLT

Believe that God Will Forgive You

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. -1 John 1:9 NLT

STEP #2: Take a Step Toward for Forgiveness

Confess Your Sin to God

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. -Proverbs 28:13 NLT

Confession Prayer

God, I messed up. I didn't mean to _____________________, but I did. Right now, I'm feeling __________________________ . I sinned against You, and I violated my values/conscience. I'm sorry for what I've done. Thank You for the promise of forgiveness. Help me to experience the gift of Your forgiveness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Find a Trusted Christian and Tell Your Story

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. -James 5:16 NLT

AFTER YOU PRAY...

Stop Beating Yourself Up!

What happened has happened. Yes, you wish that it didn't. You wished that you had never responded to that text, entered that hotel room, been victimized by an abuser, or walked away when you shouldn't have. Yes, you regret it. But beating yourself up doesn't change the past.

When you wound yourself with negative self-talk, it weakens you. When you're weak, the devil uses your negative self-talk foothold to plant more lies and temptation to sin again.

Here are some negative self-talk phases you should no longer be saying to yourself:

I'm so stupid.

I'm worthless.

My mom (or dad, ex-spouse) was right about me.

God can never use me.

Will you stop using those phrases as weapons against yourself? God isn't saying these things to you, so you don't need to tell them yourself.

Finally, Cling to God's Promises in Scripture

Ephesians 6 reminds us that God's Word is a sword to fight Satan's attacks. After you confess your sin, be on guard for Satan to begin attacking your thoughts and heart. You can write out verses like Romans 8:37, James 4:7, and 2 Thessalonians 3:3 and read them when you feel shame, guilt, or temptation to question God's forgiveness.

Let's Pray...

God, I'm here praying on behalf of my friend. While I don't know the circumstances, You do. Open their heart to the truth of your love and forgiveness. I pray for your willingness to be honest, confess your sin, and receive Your forgiveness. Please help my friend find one or more trusted Christians to connect with for support and prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Experience Life-Transforming Power of Prayer

Pray Like This Bible Study by Barb Roose

This is a classic framework for prayer that is like the Lord’s Prayer. You can use this framework during other times of prayer, like when you pray with friends or when you want to spend additional intentional time with God during your lunch break.

You can use this acronym to guide your conversation with God. There is an example of what you can say:

P—Praise: Acknowledge Abba Father along with God’s other names as you give thanks to Him.

Abba Father/God, I recognize You as bigger and greater than anyone or anything else in the world. There is no one like You.

R—Repent: Confess your sins and struggles and tell God that you want to live in His holiness rather than continue to do life your way.

God, You are perfect and I am not. Right now, I recognize that my wrong thoughts, faults, and sins mean that I’ve fallen short of Your perfect standard. Today, I confess ___________ before You. I ask for forgiveness and I will turn away from my sin and follow Your way.

A—Ask: Tell God what you need and share your requests for other desires.

God. there is nothing impossible for You. Today, I pray for ___________________. I am asking for You to provide/take care of ______________________. I do not need to be anxious because You know everything that I need.

Y—Yield: This is where you declare that you trust God’s will, His timing, and His sovereignty over everything that you’ve prayed, similar to Jesus’s prayer, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

Finally, I have shared my dreams, fears, needs, or desires with You. God, I don’t know the future, but You do. I trust You with my life, the people that I love and care about as well as my future. I release my attempts to manipulate or control because You are the One in control.  Amen.

The holiday season can cause drama, but you dont need to be a part of it. Here's an adaptation of the classic "Twas the Night Before Christmas" poem with a helpful holiday reminder.

‘Twas a few days before Christmas

and all through the house,

Mom was rushing and running,

she was trying not to grouse.

The stockings were missing, yet nobody cared,

Mom was excited that loved ones soon would be there.

The children had no interest in making their beds,

visions of candy and online games filling their heads.

While Mom clutched her Stanley cup and made herself a snack,

she checked her to-do list and planned her attack.

When her phone started buzzing, notifying her of chatter,

She rushed right over to see what was the matter.

Her sister text about an unfortunate mash,

between their mom, their aunt and an ugly verbal clash.

"Should we get involved?" Mom's sister begged to know.

Mom coached herself to pause real slow.

"Dear sister," Mom text back, "We love them so dear,"

"But this matter is between them, so we shouldn't interfere."

Her sister's reply was angry and quick.

Mom's advice was one her sister wouldn't pick.

Mom took a deep breath and saw a nearby frame.

A picture of her Bible study group - She knew each woman by name.

There was Ruth and Ora, plus Sandra and Jan,

Then Jessica and Ebonie, Dodi and Dianne,

These women covered Mom with prayer and check-in calls,

Through life's ups and downs, the triumphs and the falls.

They met every week to study and pray,

They learned how to let go, find peace, and trust God all the way.

Mom steeled her resolve to avoid taking a side.

Her sister wasn't happy, but took Mom's decision in stride.

They ended their convo and Mom set down her phone,

Grateful in the moment she wasn't alone.

"God, thank you for wisdom, grace, and peace,

I give over this problem, into Your hands I release,

my anxieties, my worries, and all of my fears,

I give thanks that You are God and so near."

Then, Mom picked up her cup, her tasks to restart,

and grateful for God's renewed peace in her heart.

-by Barb Roose, December 2024

Author's Note: This poem was originally shared in my weekly Happy Monday email devotional. The names in Mom's group are readers from that AMAZING devotional community.

It's my joy to write this weekly devotional and start off their week with Jesus and a smile. If you'd like to recieve my Happy Monday devotional, click here and I'd love to send it to you.