I recently read about a psychiatrist who asks each new client three questions. 1) What is the worst thing you have ever done? 2) What is the worst thing that ever happened to you? 3) What is the proudest moment of your life? If you are like me, you would probably like to go directly to the third question. All of us like to remember our achievements, yet, for many of us, even those highlights are tainted with the shame of past sins. Maybe that’s why he wants his clients to remember the worst thing they have ever done. Maybe he realizes we can’t really accept our achievements until we have made peace with our past.

“Overlook my youthful sins, O Lord! Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness, through eyes of everlasting love and kindness.”

— Psalm 25:6-7 (TLB)

Lord Jesus, help us to make peace with our past by accepting Your love and forgiveness. In Your holy name we pray. Amen.