We don’t need to continue making ourselves worried and miserable by ruminating about every little thing we’ve done wrong. That’s not what godly sorrow means. In fact, Christ wants the opposite for us. He wants us to think positively, work instead of worry, and forgive ourselves.

The scriptures are full of Christ’s words pleading for us to not get stuck in our own thoughts. He is clear that He wants us to not worry, stress, or fear but instead “be of good cheer” and “fear not.”

And He will help us do that as we work to grow our faith in Him.

You can feel confident in Heavenly Father’s care, secure in His hands, and trust in His commandments. He wants you to be happy, confident, and successful. He didn’t send you to earth to fail. Look more frequently to evidence that He wants you to succeed.

Think about all of the people, experiences, tools, and everything else that He’s given you. All of these prove that He’s there, trying to help you reach your full potential. Focus on the good in the world and in your life. Including the good that you’ve done in the past.

One bad choice doesn’t negate a lifetime of righteousness. And you can learn to focus on the lifetime of righteousness instead of those single mistakes.

Grow your confidence in God’s care by choosing to listen to these truths frequently. Repeat them often to yourself in quiet moments of study and pondering. Spend time practicing the thinking patterns that will lead you to a habit of always being of good cheer and fearing not.

It might take repeating phrases like “God wants me to succeed” then thinking about the evidence that you’ve already seen that shows this is true. As you turn to Him, asking for help to solidify these truths, He will be there and can permanently change you.

He can make you the kind of person that doesn’t worry or stress, but instead, one who is confident in who they are and finds peace in trusting that everything will be okay.