SOMETIMES I FEEL UNFORGIVABLE

All that garbage we just got rid of? God hates it.
And while Jesus readily takes it, don't think it doesn't have to be reconciled, forgiven, or atoned for. Feeling better? Probably not. That's why we're spending one more chapter on it.
Here's the good news: The reconciling, forgiving, and atoning isn't your job.
Jesus did that. He died an ugly death on an ugly cross in order to pay the price for all the ugliness in the world.
Ever wonder what big landfill all this garbage ends up in? Somehow I have a feeling God anticipated our question, because the answer we find in the Bible doesn't lack clarity or power.
"You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)
That might not be far enough for you, so how about this?
"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)
Once you've asked for forgiveness, God doesn't remember your sins. But just between you and me, Satan would love to have you continue to beat yourself up over all the embarrassing and shameful things you've said, done, and thought.
Really, that makes his day. In fact, he'll go to great lengths to torment you with your past. Yes, torment. Don't open the door for him--even a crack. He never brings a party with him.
But Satan does something more. He makes God out to be a liar. If you'll remember back to the Garden of Eden, you'll know that this is one of Satan's specialties (Genesis 3). He likes to make you doubt the finality of God's forgiveness. Satan really trips up a lot of people with this, so let's not go any farther without putting this to rest.
Satan is famous for saying, "Yeah, God says you're forgiven, but remember what you've done? Why would God wipe that away? No, my fellow loser-friend, you can be quite sure you'll have to carry around that hideous past of yours for quite some time. Maybe forever.”
He may even have you thinking, Good point. I can't forget it, so why should I expect God to?
Well, you can expect God to forget it because he said he would.
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)
God keeps promises.You're forgiven.You're his.And you can take that to the bank.Now we've come to the part where you smile.C'mon. A big one.(Make everybody wonder what you're reading.)
**
Taken from “You Are Not Alone” by Shirley Perich, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.