Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
Jeremiah 31:34
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 8: 21-22
I watched a YouTube video by a non-Christian. He said to forgive yourself by embarking on a redemptive story. His point was that you won’t feel better until you do something to right the wrong. For example, if you failed to help someone needy in the past, make up for it by going out and helping people the needy now so that you can feel better about yourself. That would seem to be the logical answer for someone who hasn’t been saved by Jesus. It makes sense to our human mind. It is also the works mentality that all the other religions of the world preach. They say you can get to heaven by doing good works.
However, Christianity is different. Jesus already atoned for our sins by dying on the cross. Before Jesus died at Calvary and was resurrected for the sins of the world, the Jewish people would sacrifice perfect lambs (no defects and no broken limbs) to atone, or pay, for their sins. Jesus was the perfect lamb who was slain for our sins. He lived a sinless life and he died on the cross without the guards having to break his legs. He already died and was resurrected so that we have new life in him. If we are born again Christians, meaning we have prayed to accept Jesus into our hearts and confessed our sins to God and our need for the Savior, we do not have to embark on a redemptive journey to be able to forgive ourselves for our mistakes and sins. Jesus already redeemed us. Now we need to apply this redemption to our past regrets.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
How do you do that? You pray. First, pray to ask God for forgiveness for your sins. Confess that you need Jesus and accept him into your heart as your savior. God is waiting for you so run to him.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
If the God of this universe, the one who created you, forgives you, and he most certainly does, then you can forgive yourself, also. That’s the next step. When you pray, forgive yourself. Whenever doubts arise or the enemy reminds you of your past, pray again and forgive yourself in Jesus’ name. Because he forgives you and is faithful to forgive. The Bible tells us that we may have to keep forgiving ourselves over and over again. Personally, I have found that a topic will arise about which I had forgiven myself years ago, and I have to forgive myself again. That is the loving thing to do for ourselves because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.