Feelings of shame seem to hit me at random times: when I’m laying awake at night, when I’m riding the subway, when I’m walking alone after work. During these periods of the day, my mind often wanders, leading me down a path of anxiety and regret.

If I had used more self-discipline, I could’ve avoided those situations altogether, I think to myself. I’m a better person than that, right?

Have you ever felt weighed down by these thoughts? If you have, you’re familiar with the biting pain of old memories finding their way back into your mind. And you’re familiar with the desire to go back and do things differently.

Maybe you exaggerated the numbers on a report to impress your boss, who rarely recognizes your hard work. But your plan backfired. After noticing the manipulated numbers, she fired you on the spot. And now you’re stuck applying for jobs you don’t even want. You feel worthless.

Or maybe you’ve always felt overwhelming pressure to live up to your parents’ expectations. They had big dreams for your future—the education you would receive, the company you would work for, the family you would raise. But things didn’t quite work out how your parents envisioned. When you spend time with them, they constantly remind you of the life they wanted you to live. You wish you could start over and meet their expectations.

Have you been here before?

When you can’t seem to escape your past, try opening your Bible and meditating on God’s Word. These three Bible verses will get you started:

1. Acts 20:32 (GNTD)
   And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people.
2. 1 Peter 5:20b (GNTD)
   …The God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.
3. Hebrews 4:16 (GNTD)
   Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.