Forgiving Ourselves

Something I've seen too much of in my life is people holding onto guilt for years and years about something they've done wrong, or something that happened which they wish they could've prevented, feel they should've prevented, or otherwise holding onto regrets and pains of the past.

I believe that Christ suffered to so that He could help us move beyond these feelings of guilt and continue forward in life; I also can't really think of times in my own life where continuously beating myself up has been a helpful, uplifting experience. I can't really think of a place where it helped someone I knew either. I believe the scriptures teach us some principles to help us move forward. From Isaiah 53:4-5:

4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Many times I've read this scripture and thought only about achieving forgiveness, but it plainly states that our Savior suffered for our sins, our sorrows, griefs, iniquities, and so that we might have peace. He wants us to allow Him to carry these burdens rather than for us to endlessly flagellate ourselves for how we mess up. Rather than carry guilt forever, the Savior would have us "go, and sin no more."

As I prepare to celebrate Easter later this month, I want to take greater advantage of the Savior's efforts for our peace. For me, in many cases it's deciding to have faith that if I do my best - because the Gospel isn't meant to make us give up or defer responsibility - that the Lord can make up the difference between my best and what is good enough.