Biblical Answer

Understanding the Struggle of Forgiveness

Forgiving oneself for not being able to protect parents can be a challenging and emotional experience. It's natural to feel guilty or responsible for not being able to prevent harm or suffering. However, it's essential to recognize that we cannot control everything, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, bad things happen. This is where faith comes in – trusting in a higher power, like God, who is sovereign and in control. As the Bible says, "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O God, endures forever" (Psalm 138:8).

Practicing Forgiveness through Prayer

Prayer is a powerful tool for forgiving oneself and others. By praying for our parents, we can begin to release the burdens of guilt and resentment. The Bible teaches us to pray for our enemies, and in this case, our parents (Matthew 5:44). We can pray for their well-being, their salvation, and their healing. We can also pray for ourselves, asking God to help us forgive and let go of our emotions. As we pray, we can acknowledge our limitations and God's sovereignty, trusting that He is working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28).

Embracing God's Love and Forgiveness

Ultimately, forgiveness is not about our ability to forgive ourselves or others but about God's love and forgiveness. We are called to love and forgive others as we have been loved and forgiven by God (Matthew 22:37-40). When we come to Jesus, we receive forgiveness for our sins and are given the power to forgive others (1 John 1:9). As we trust in God's love and forgiveness, we can begin to forgive ourselves and others, releasing the burdens of guilt and resentment. We can choose to love our parents, not because of their actions, but because of God's love for them and for us. By doing so, we can experience the freedom and peace that comes from forgiveness. As Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28).