Let Go of past failures

My husband and I share a mutual hobby where we like to purchase and renovate overlooked real estate.  Prior to purchasing the ideal property, we often sit down and create a detailed budget list of approximate remodel costs.  

When developing a general budget and plan, we’ve learned to include expected losses.  Specifically, unexpected costly mistakes or surprises that may come up in the course of the remodel. 

It’s wise to have room in the budget for errors as insignificant as holes in the wall to something as major as accidental flooding.  We wouldn’t be able to complete the build if we didn’t account for the slip-ups we encountered.   

In the same way, God was prepared for the worst when he orchestrated his grand plan for our lives. 

Because he foresaw our failures and mistakes in advance, he was able to include them in his master plan.

Sadly, far too many believers can’t move forward on God’s best because they can’t get over past failures and mistakes.  They ask for forgiveness and God forgives them.  But then refuse to forgive themselves. They spend years in remorse, holding on to guilt over events of the distant past.

OT Joseph and his eleven brothers are prime example.

Joseph’s eleven brothers sold him into slavery because of adolescent jealousy. But the guilt of their fault seemed to forever remain with them.   

Decades later, they repeatedly assume all their misfortunes are directly related to their youthful mistake.  

“Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.” (Gen. 42:21 NIV)

Even when good things were happening, they continued to look at them with skepticism.  

My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.” Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, “What is this that God has done to us?” (vs. 28)

When burdened by guilt over the past, every hardship is assumed as punishment from God.

However, Joseph (being a man of God), represents the heart of God in this story.  

He urges his brothers…

do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. (Gen 45:5 NIV)

In other words, let go and stop harboring guilt from your past failures.  Accept that God in his sovereignty has already paid and accounted for even the worst of your mistakes.  He  purposed to use them as part of his grand plan. 

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Gen. 50:5 NIV)