Biblical Answer

Forgiving oneself for not being able to protect a child can be a challenging and painful process. As a Christian, I believe that God's sovereignty and goodness are not limited by human failure, and that He is always working for our good (Romans 8:28). However, this does not diminish the weight of responsibility that parents carry in caring for and protecting their children. When we fail to protect our child, it is natural to feel guilty, ashamed, and angry with ourselves.

The Bible teaches us that God is a God of forgiveness and restoration (Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 43:25). He desires to forgive us for our failures and to heal the wounds of our past. However, forgiveness of ourselves is not always easy. It requires humility, repentance, and a willingness to let go of our guilt and shame. As a parent, it's essential to acknowledge our failure and take responsibility for our actions. We must also seek forgiveness from God and ask for His help in forgiving ourselves.

To forgive ourselves, we must understand that we are not defined by our failures, but by our relationship with God. He loves us and accepts us, not because of our accomplishments, but because of His mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). We must also recognize that our child's well-being is not solely dependent on us, but on God's sovereignty and providence. By acknowledging God's sovereignty and our own limitations, we can begin to release our guilt and shame and find freedom in forgiveness. As the Bible says, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). By focusing on our relationship with God and His love for us, we can find the strength to forgive ourselves and move forward in freedom and peace.