Forgiving ourselves for not being able to pay bills on time can be a difficult task, but it's essential to understand that forgiveness is a costly sacrifice. As the Bible teaches in Matthew 18, a king forgives his servant a debt of 100,000 talents, which is equivalent to 160,000 years of daily wages. This magnanimous act shows the importance of forgiveness, not just for others, but also for ourselves.
When we forgive ourselves, we are not excusing our actions, but rather, we are choosing to let go of the guilt and shame associated with not being able to pay our debts on time. This doesn't mean we don't take responsibility for our actions, but rather, we acknowledge that we did the best we could with the resources we had. As the passage suggests, it's not about getting revenge or making someone else pay for our mistakes, but rather, it's about taking the initiative to forgive ourselves and move forward.
In order to forgive ourselves, we need to make a decision to let go of our guilt and shame. This means taking the initiative to make things right, if possible, and then choosing to forgive ourselves for not being able to do so. It's a process that requires humility and a willingness to let go of our pride. As the passage suggests, God is willing to help us pay our debts, not just financially, but also spiritually. By forgiving ourselves, we can begin to heal and move forward, knowing that we are forgiven and loved, not just by others, but also by God Himself.