The Road to Salvation

• The harshest critic of your life is yourself. You know your deepest and darkest thoughts. Nothing you do is hidden from yourself. You know the truth about every lie you ever told. You are haunted by every secret you try to keep. You’ve thought, said, and done things you are not proud about. You struggle with this daily and dread the idea of your darkest moments coming to light.

• You know you are guilty and you carry this burden with you in secret. You cast judgment on yourself and wish your self-inflicted punishment was a matter of public record. Out of shame you keep it private. If you cannot forgive yourself, you know nobody else will. With this knowledge you shackle yourself to regret, put on your best smile and hope the worst is behind you. And you’re right. It is, because it follows you.

• Freedom is found through salvation. Salvation is redemption, a second chance, and it can only be gotten through forgiveness. If you refuse to forgive yourself for your failures or your sins, you’re damning yourself. If you refuse to forgive yourself, the entire world could shower you with mercy and it would do no good. For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. And as long as you carry around a guilty-conscience, no amount of forgiveness will exonerate you.

• You may be a person that seeks salvation through religion. Or you may not. Regardless, a wise man once said that the kingdom of heaven is within you. He was right. Within yourself you will find true forgiveness, and when you do you will become free from your sins.

• All roads lead to the truth, and the truth is the only salvation. Some roads are paved with gold while others are trodden earth. Some are lined with synagogues, temples, and churches while others pass through universities, business districts, and coffee houses. Some come with gods as guides while others are meant to be traveled alone. Whatever path you choose to take, remember one thing: the road to salvation begins right where you stand. The first step is to forgive yourself.