Before You Start Your Week: Forgive Yourself

The Weight of Guilt

Is guilt still weighing on you as the week begins?
Before you dive any deeper into October, take a moment to pause and breathe.

We’ve officially made it to the final quarter of 2025—and if you’re anything like me, you might be thinking about wrapping up some loose ends.

This time of year is often called “The Great Lock-In.” It’s when people dig in, get focused, and give their all to finish the year strong. But what does that really mean?

Locking in looks different for everyone.
For some, it’s about recommitting to the goals they set at the start of the year.
For others, it’s about staying consistent or simply finding the strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

No matter where you fall on that spectrum, you’ve been doing the work.
And yet—maybe it still feels like it’s not enough.
Maybe you feel behind.
Maybe you feel stuck.
Maybe you don’t even feel like yourself anymore.

Pause and Breathe

First, let me remind you of something important:
You are not behind. (Really—who told you that anyway?)
And you are more than enough.

But I want to ask you an honest question:
Have you forgiven yourself?

Why Self-Forgiveness Matters

We know Christ has already forgiven us—but have we truly forgiven ourselves?

When we don’t forgive ourselves, we trap our hearts in the same moment we’re trying to move on from.
We replay the decisions that hurt us.
We criticize ourselves for what we didn’t see sooner.
And without realizing it, we become our own biggest obstacle to healing.

As we step deeper into this last quarter of the year, I want to challenge you to release yourself from the weight of self-condemnation.

Release the Shame

Before you can truly move forward, you have to let the weight go.
Let go of the guilt.
Let go of the shame.
Let go of the condemnation.

Forgive yourself for the bad decisions that brought you here.
Forgive yourself for not doing enough earlier this year.
Forgive yourself for being so naive in the first place.

You can’t fully “lock in” until you release what’s been holding you hostage.

Give It All to God

Forgive yourself—and then give it all to God.

None of your mistakes, choices, or lack of self-love can block what He is capable of doing in your life. God’s grace doesn’t stop at forgiveness—it restores, renews, and rebuilds.

This month, carry this truth with you:
You are more than enough.
You can forgive yourself.
And you can unlock the future ahead without being weighed down by your past.

What do you need to forgive yourself for? What from your past has been holding you back? Say it out loud or write it down, and let it go.

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