How to Deal with Your Mistakes
(Close the Chapter – 4)
Close the chapter on past mistakes and never permit yourself or anyone to keep you tied up in the grip of past mistakes. We have all made mistakes at various points in our lives, though some mistakes are more grievous than others. The best way to close the chapter on your mistakes is to come to terms with them. How?
Own up to your mistakes. This simply means that you should be able to admit your mistakes and see them for what they are. Don’t deny them, wish them away or blame someone else for them, even if that someone else contributed to them. Own up. Own up to your mistake so you can own your deliverance.
- Avoid cover ups and quick fixes. Some mistakes take some time to rectify, and others have lifetime consequences. Never use a wrong or mistake to cover up another mistake. It perpetuates the cycle of negativity and wrong.
- Accept the consequences of your mistakes, bear them. Bear the shame, embarrassment, and disgrace. Note that as you face the consequences of your mistakes, it is raising a champion within you. You are not dodging or avoiding your responsibility but becoming empowered for your future through the painful process of taking responsibility.
- Don’t remain in your mistake even if you are saddled with the consequences. Don’t think you cannot do better than your mistake or, that all is lost because you erred in the past. Remember that the world may want to make you one and the same with your mistake, but you must make the distinction so as not to be locked in a vicious cycle. You may have made mistakes, but you are not your mistake. Look beyond it. The essence of redemption is to produce transformation. Yes, you are capable of something better by God’s redeeming grace.
- Move towards victory. Your story can change. Deliberately and proactively take steps away from your mistake. Make the needed changes, make amends, and turn the corner. Change involves process, and process involves time. Never give up even if results appear slow in materializing, move surely and deliberately. You are an unfolding wonder in destiny. I believe Jesus came to mend the broken. You are special to Jesus. He is waiting to hold you up. Yes, you can make it.
Suoyo Aganaba 