Guest post – Alexis Jacklin
Everyone makes mistakes, even Christians. Many who struggle with mental illnesses feel like they make even more mistakes than others. For example, depression can lead to anger and anxiety can lead to fear, fear and anger can both lead to mistakes. Here are three reasons why making mistakes is okay and how God will meet you right where you are.
1. God cares far more about the person than their mistakes
God loves us and he wants us to know this. His love is unconditional and goes a lot further than any mistake you have possibly made. For example, I learned this when it came to self-harm. God cared about me more than the action. I struggled with it because I thought I deserved to hurt myself, God thought differently and instead of pointing a finger at me and shaming me he reminded me of his unconditional love even if I know I am not worthy.
Jeremiah 31:3 “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness”
2. God understands why we mess up
God understands where we come from when we make mistakes. For example, if someone abuses substances to numb pain God understands why the pain is too much. He understands why sometimes we want to give up on Christianity when it is overwhelming. He understands when we let our fear win and don’t do something he has asked of us. He wants to help us learn and grow through our mistakes not punish those who are sick and in pain and yes that includes mentally as well. When talking about sin I think God’s tough love side is talked about too much rather than the love. The love needs to be felt first before repentance and forgiveness. God knows we are human, he knows we will make mistakes and that is okay.
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
3. God understands equity rather than equality
Equality means everyone gets the same thing, equity means everyone gets the same opportunities so they receive different things based on their needs to get said opportunity. God recognizes everyone’s individual story and testimony. So what God does in one person’s life will be very different from another. For example, take the story of Job. God let tons of negative things happen to him because he knew he could handle it and keep his faith, however others, like Moses needed a bit more hand- holding. This doesn’t mean either one was used less or more in God’s kingdom it just means God knows you so personally he knows exactly where he needs to hold your hand and where he doesn’t! That should get you excited! This means he knows what mistakes you are more prone to making and prayer can help drastically. Read the following verse as if God is talking directly to you and you will see what I mean!
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
Hi, I’m Alexis. If you enjoyed this blog post check out my blog for more! It is all about how God views mental health and my own personal testimony and starting this discussion through the church. If the church won’t talk about it, I will!
https://alexisjacklin.blogspot.com/
Also don’t forget to follow my socials! And share this post!
English
God is always with us.