DAY 8 – FORGIVE YOURSELF FOR SOMETHING SMALL
THEME: SECOND CHANCES BEGIN SMALL
FOCUS: FORGIVENESS, GENTLE SELF-COMPASSION, AND HEALING GRACE
PRACTICE:
Think of something small you’ve been holding against yourself—something that may
not seem like a big deal to others, but weighs on you. Maybe you forgot a task,
snapped at someone, didn’t keep a goal, or just felt “off.”
Today, offer yourself the kind
of grace you would extend to a friend.
Take a deep breath and speak this truth over yourself:
“I am allowed to be human. I am growing. I am forgiven.”
If it helps, write the moment down on a piece of paper, then rip it up, recycle it, or
release it in another tangible way. Let it go—not because it didn’t matter, but because
grace matters more.
REFLECTION:
Why is it sometimes easier to offer grace to others than to ourselves?
What small moment of “failure” or imperfection have you been holding onto?
What would it look like to let go of that moment today—not by pretending it didn’t happen,
but by releasing the shame attached to it?
When we forgive ourselves, we open the door for healing and deeper freedom. Forgiveness
isn’t weakness—it’s spiritual strength.
SCRIPTURE:
“As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 (NRSV)
God doesn’t measure us by our worst moments. This verse reminds us that divine forgiveness is not partial—it is complete, stretching farther than we can imagine. If God can separate us from our sins, surely we can begin learning to release ourselves, too.
PRAYER:
You see every part of me—and love me still.
Help me forgive myself, even for the small
things I hold too tightly.
Teach me that Your mercy is new every
morning,
and that I don’t need to earn Your love.
Let me walk lighter today, held by grace.
Amen.