10 Minute Christian Meditation for Healing: Self-Forgiveness

Just like the criminal dying beside Jesus, we often feel unworthy of forgiveness and are in need of spiritual healing. Be reassured of Jesus' love for you and the truth of who you are in him in this 10 minute guided meditation. Meditation is based on Luke 23.

Welcome to this meditation for releasing guilt, shame, and regret through forgiveness. Forgiveness is difficult. When someone hurts us, it can takes years to bring ourselves to release anger and resentment and truly forgive. However, the hardest person to forgive is often ourselves. The tragedy is that as we hold on to these feelings of guilt and shame for sins of our past, we do further harm to those whom we love. Often, we project the way negative we think about and feel about ourselves onto those near us, hurting them further. Today is the day to let go and bring light, not darkness, to our own hearts and into the lives of those whom we love.

As we begin, let us settle our minds. Close your eyes and imagine that you are waiting a few meters from your front door, waiting for the arrival of important guests. These guests will be your thoughts. As they enter, w
elcome them, then allow them to simply pass by you. Relax and breathe deeply as you allow your thoughts to slow in frequency. You may have many visitors or none at all. Regardless, simply allow it to be and relax.

Now that you are more calm, I give you permission to briefly bring to your mind the sin you cannot accept forgiveness for. Feel fully the guilt and shame in all of its intensity and the hurt you have caused your brothers and sisters through your sin. Imagine that you have been made to pay for your deeds. Your arms are tied to a crossbar--you are hanging from a cross. You can see the condemned man next to you--a man whom you have heard much about. As the past few hours have progressed, you have been distracted from your own agony only by the grace with which this purported king has lived his final hours. Just being near him, you are humbled. Take a moment to look at Jesus and observe the emotions that come up for you.

You know you are a sinner but hope that he will find some mercy in his heart toward you. You ask him, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Surrender yourself to Jesus, asking him for his forgiveness.

Jesus turns his pained face toward you. A smile reaches his eyes. He looks on you with love. “I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus has fully forgiven you. Not only that, but he wants you to be with him in heaven. Allow this forgiveness and great love to wash over you.

If there is anything you want to say to Jesus or ask him, take time to do that now.

As we close, imagine yourself coming home to your family or friends, covered in Jesus’ love, confident that you are his beloved child, cared for and priceless, with a home in heaven. Imagine the smile on your face and the way love pours from you through your words and actions. You are forgiven. Live in this freedom. Live in love. Thank you for meditating with me today. Follow me on Twitter @ChristianMedit2 Please connect with me on Instagram:   / christianmedit2  
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