In Him you have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

- Ephesians 1:7-8

Have you ever looked back at a mistake you made in life and cringed so hard, it made you dizzy? It can be hard to not fall into an endless pit of imagining what could have been if you had chosen differently. However, according to God this is a meaningless task and a waste of our time!

We often tend to view ourselves with a perfectionist lens. Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t look at us the way we do. He sees you as His beloved child, robed in His righteousness and grace. When the blood of His son was shed for us on the cross, God knew very well what He was doing. He knew every mistake we would ever make in the future before dying for us, and He still chose to go to the cross. The only explanation for this is His incredible love.

When we sin and fall short, He is not surprised. Because Jesus paid it all, we can rest easy in the assuredness of His forgiveness. You never have to feel shy about going to Him for anything. Whenever you feel the judgment of perfectionism gnawing at you, take it to the Lord where He will wash it away in His loving presence.

The next time you look at yourself in the mirror, try to see yourself the way God sees you–clothed in perfect righteousness, embellished in His perfect approval.

With Love,
Sarah Sherstad

Use This in Your Personalized Scripture Journal

As you reflect on Ephesians 1:7–8, take time to write through these prompts:

·       Do I truly believe I am forgiven?

·       Where do I still carry guilt or shame?

·       What does redemption mean personally in my life?

·       How has God shown me grace when I did not deserve it?

·       How can I extend grace to someone else this week?

These verses remind us that redemption is not earned — it is given. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are forgiven and covered by grace that overflows. Our identity is no longer defined by past failures but by present mercy.

Use this space to write a prayer thanking God for His forgiveness and asking Him to help you live confidently in His grace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ephesians 1:7–8 mean?
It teaches that believers are redeemed and forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice, according to the riches of God’s grace.

What does redemption mean?
Redemption refers to being freed or bought back — spiritually rescued from sin.

What does it mean that grace “abounds”?
It means God’s grace is abundant, overflowing beyond what we deserve.

How should this change the way I live?
It encourages freedom from shame and a life rooted in gratitude and humility.

How can journaling help me embrace forgiveness?
Writing helps process guilt honestly and replace it with biblical truth.