Sometimes it may seem like you can’t do anything right and that you’ve not only disappointed those around you, but they’re downright mad at you.

Stop right there. Test those thoughts. Take them to God in prayer and ask His Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you and what you need to do.

The enemy is going to do whatever it takes to distract you and get you to pull back from others. Satan is not going to pull any punches when it comes to how you’re serving God either. On the contrary, if he can get you to beat yourself up over your mistakes, well, then he’s even got you doing all the work by tricking you into throwing all the punches.

Stop beating yourself up.

Of course, you’re human and you’re going to mess up and make mistakes. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of the race and God has given up on you.

God never gives up on you.

Don’t you know? God is full of grace and forgiveness. If you’ve sinned against Him, ask Him with a sincere heart to forgive you and He will. He is faithful like that. And His children should also be faithful to extend this kind of grace and forgiveness.

So go directly to those you believe you’ve hurt or failed and talk to them. You may be surprised to find they’re not upset with you at all and that the enemy is behind the ruse.

Or you may discover there IS a problem and now you can begin to mend the fence.

But what if the individual you hurt refuses to forgive you? What if you’ve poured out your heart and even found yourself begging for forgiveness, but the person still won’t budge?

Oh, precious soul, that person is in grave danger. This reveals the condition of the heart and is an important matter between that individual and God.

PRAY for the person who harbors anger and refuses to forgive you. Don’t let another’s hardened heart harden yours.

Regardless of the outcome, when you pray and approach those you THINK you’ve hurt, offended, or failed somehow, you will gain wisdom and learn the truth about the situation:

• You did NOT upset them – the enemy is trying to distract you.
• You DID upset them and they forgive you – you can have peace by accepting responsibility and clearing things up, and THEY can have peace because they accepted your apology.
• You DID upset them and they refuse to forgive you – the problem is much deeper than your offense, and you need to pray for them.

And after the matter is settled, you can continue with what God is calling you to do instead of pulling back or wandering away as you beat yourself up over your mistakes.

Oh, precious soul, God loves you so much and has so much more for you than camping out in a darkened corner of regret with all the baggage of your past mistakes lying at your feet.

He has an exciting road for you to travel – one that doesn’t involve heavy burdens you’re not meant to carry, worrying all the time about what you did wrong, or distractions the enemy throws your way.

It’s a lovely, thrilling road you get to travel with your heavenly Father as you reflect His loving character to those around you by mending fences along the way.

“While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk – better yet, run! – on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline – not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”

Ephesians 4:1b-3 MSG.