Isaiah 41:9-10, “I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you  and will not throw you away. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

None of us are perfect and we have all made mistakes of which we are ashamed. Dwelling on those past mistakes only leads to guilt, shame and fear. Negative thoughts turn our energies inward and keep us from helping ourselves and others.

When we remember we are called by God to serve, that we are chosen and our past mistakes do not disqualify us forever, we are able to let the Holy Spirit of God work within us to achieve great things. When we remember that God is our righteousness and that He is our strength, we are able to turn outward and know that we can use our past failings to help others. Though we fail, we can live our lives in the confidence that God will never throw us away.