Tough times expose the places in our lives where we have work to do, but God can use tough times to make us better. As part of our growth, God calls us to show repentance for our sins by owning our stuff, acknowledging and apologizing for how we’ve caused pain and choosing to change our behavior through grace and accountability.
This type of repentance leads to a restoration of intimacy, that is a sense of warmth, affection, and togetherness, with God and with others, even those who might have once been our enemies. Even though we may at first be afraid of punishment or feel unworthy of this restoration, God makes repentance and restoration in Him safe through grace. Then, once we have received this grace, we are called to humbly show thee same grace to others.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Is it easy for you to practice repentance?
To own your mistakes
To say, “I am sorry” for where you have caused pain
To decide to change your behavior
Why or why not?
What would “greater intimacy” look like between you and those you love?