Carrying Shadows, Seeking Light

*"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1

I had no plan when I was creating this painting, but what I’ve been struggling with over the past week emerged strongly in it. It’s not just my experience; I’ve heard many women lately express their burdens of regret, unable to fully embrace the forgiveness offered through Christ. Instead, they find themselves mired in the weight of past sins.

In the quiet moments while painting, I pondered why it can feel so challenging to embrace this truth. If God has forgiven me, who am I to hold my sins against myself? I’m not asking you to forgive yourself, either. In my understanding of Scripture, the concept of self-forgiveness is unbiblical. After all, if God has forgiven me, I do not need my own forgiveness—I am forgiven.

My understanding of forgiveness is also how I forgive others. We forgive because Christ has forgiven us. I often see that although I struggle to have grace for my own past, I don’t struggle the same when I see a younger woman who make the same mistakes I once did. Yes, I see myself in them but instead of yelling at them or telling them to get their act together, I would hug them and remind them that they were created in God’s image and will figure things out with Christ whose sacrifice covered every sin they have already committed, and there is not a mistake they made that God cannot redeem.

Yes, it’s with Christ that we find our strength. He is more important than any amount of therapy, social media following, advice, or the maturity that comes with age. Seeking His Kingdom first is what brings clarity, allowing us to see a better path forward.

This painting symbolizes a journey toward freedom—a reminder that while it may not be easy to release our burdens, we can actively choose to build a life filled with love and gratitude.

As you view "Carrying Shadows, Seeking Light," I invite you to reflect on your own experiences. How can you focus on the ways you can express love and gratitude? Let’s commit to lifting each other up, finding strength not in our pasts, but in the grace that allows us to move forward together.