Why Is It So Hard to Forgive Yourself?

As Catholics, we believe in the forgiveness of our sins through the graces of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But often, even though we are absolved but we can struggle to forgive ourselves for our past faults and failings.

Today, Fr. Mike shares the main reason why we struggle to let go of the past and surrender to God who is our loving Father.

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[kellyac]

I was at the end of my rope a few years ago with so much guilt over past mistakes I had made. I got the idea that I was supposed to start praying the rosary. I wasn't Catholic or even necessarily religious. But I ordered a rosary and a little rosary booklet online. That night I prayed the rosary for the first time- everything changed for me. When the Holy Mother gets ahold of you, she grabs you with both hands and my life changed. I was in RCIA two months later and I am a grateful Catholic today. Never under estimate the Virgin Mary- she loves you!

[chomperthefirst]

“Oh Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.” Repeat this 25 times, whenever anxious. From your heart.

[blujeans]

Once a repentant, but distraught, sinner asked St Faustina if her sins had been truly forgiven. Jesus told her "tell her that her disbelief wounds my heart more than the sins she committed." (628). "Sins of distrust wound me most painfully." (1076)

[gregkavanagh]

“By forgiving yourself you are glorifying God.” Thank you Father Mike.

[thisgirl]

The older I get the more I realize how much of a sinner I am. I am soooo disappointed with myself. I need to watch this video.

[kathywhipp]

“…maybe they don’t see themselves as worth being taken care of”…. wowza!! Bang! Hit home! Working on it with much gratitude, Father!

[nicholasmargagliano]

Fr.Ripperger i heard say it’s prideful to not Forgive yourself. You’re telling God he is not big enough to forgive your sins and that YOU are the better judge. (I’m paraphrasing)
So just let it go, you’re not letting yourself off the hook. As Fr.Schmitz said, there’s no glory in beating yourself and Christ died for you. You have to do it.
You’re not bigger than God, but you ARE bigger than your faults

[bonnie]

I know God forgives me but I have a hard time forgetting about my sins. I have a hard time when something triggers a memory of my sin. I agree that I have to surrender and Give it to God.

[celenahoey]

God my sin is so big but it’s nothing compared to your love and mercy ❤️

[brent]

I just wanted to say Father Mike, I have been looking to get back into church (I am 25). I attended Greek Orthodox, but was baptised Methodist. While researching my new church I would attend, it was you and your videos that convinced me to become Catholic not only for myself, but my niece and nephews who I have taken custody of to all become Catholic together. I went today to speak to the church about fully joining and will be attending our first mass this Sunday. Thank you Father Mike, and I love your videos!

[veenu]

I made a mistake and like you said, it's the consequences, the people dear to me seeing me in a different light, things not in my control anymore, is affecting me. I have a tough time forgiving myself mostly because the mistake I made is not something people expected from me nor did I expect myself to do it. Every time I see them, I wished that it didn't happen. I would wished to go back and correct it. I have no idea what I should do. I don't know how to ask for forgiveness, and I don't know how to make them understand how sorry I am. I am trying to surrender everything to God, because I don't know what to do to make it right

[keithsrepairinc]

"Even when we are broken, we are still good."
That helped me.
Thank you! Bless you!

[TruthGatherer]

To let go, is to forgive. To let yourself go, from the harm you've done to others and others to you. Then start to improve yourself according to the golden rule (do not do to others, what you yourself would not want others to do to you)

[adacathy]

i've been struggling with the desire to go back in time and try everything over again, i keep on making the same mistakes, feeling like a failure... i just need to know that it's all God'd will at work

[lucasmanzo]

This is hardest thing I struggle with especially during this time of year. God is amazing having this video come out at this time!! I needed this!

[remowilliams]

This was a difficult thing to listen to but so needed. Thank you Father Mike for your insight.

[evezah]

I lost my spouse to suicide, I have lived with the guilt for years, thank you for this Father, I needed to hear it.

[johnwilkins]

I think the most amazing thing, I’ve done some bad things that I regret. And it tears me upside daily. The fact that an entity could show mercy and forgive me, just makes me cry sometimes.

[brandonspratt]

It's me, standing in the kitchen doing dishes while listening to this, and being hit so hard by the line about loving yourself—realizing how that has been a missing piece for such a long time. It brought me to my knees.

[danieltraina]

The most amazing thing about being Catholic is it brings out the good and beautiful in everything.