Why Is It So Hard to Accept God's Mercy After All I've Done?

Have you ever found yourself wondering:    

"How could God forgive someone like me after everything I’ve done?"       

You're not alone.

Shame has a way of gripping our hearts, whispering that we’re too far gone, too broken, too sinful for redemption.  

Yet, it’s often in our lowest, darkest moments that God’s mercy shines the brightest. Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

In today's world, where judgment often outweighs grace, learning to fully embrace God’s mercy can feel radical — almost too good to be true. But His mercy is real. And it’s freely given.

In my novel Predestined Love, one of the characters shares her raw, painful testimony of how God's mercy rescued her from a life of shame and regret. Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter how broken we feel, God’s love reaches deeper.

Here’s a glimpse into her heart-wrenching confession:

“It was the darkest period in my life, Marco,” she told him, feeling all the shame of that time wanting to embrace her again. “I went to God one day and prayed for His help and strength to see me through. He came to my rescue, took the blinders off my eyes, and for the first time I saw my life, and I wept bitterly...     

God took away the emptiness inside me and gave me His love, and that was when I started to feel better about myself and promised to let Him show me the way.”

Predestined Love

Her story shows us something important: God’s mercy isn’t earned — it’s received. And that's okay.

You don’t have to work harder to be forgiven. You don’t have to keep punishing yourself for the mistakes you regret. When God says you’re forgiven, you are.

Here are a few reminders if you're struggling to accept God's mercy:

• Mercy is a gift, not a reward. You don’t have to clean yourself up first — God meets you right where you are.

• Your past does not disqualify you. In fact, God often uses the most broken pieces of our lives to create the most beautiful testimonies.

• Healing takes time. Just like the character in Predestined Love, it’s okay if embracing forgiveness feels like a process — God is patient with you.

It’s a powerful scene that captures the raw honesty and beautiful redemption found in God's love.

If this story touched your heart, you’ll love diving deeper into Predestined Love — a novel about forgiveness, second chances, and the incredible mercy of God.   

👉 To experience the full emotional weight of her confession and healing, you can watch the video snippet here.

You can purchase your copy of the novel here.

Final Encouragement:

God’s mercy isn’t based on how little you sin — it’s based on how great His love is for you. No mistake, no failure, no regret is greater than His ability to redeem you. Let go of the shame. Open your heart.          

God’s mercy is waiting — all you have to do is receive it.

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