Two life-changing words

I am constantly aware of my shortcomings.  It seems like every day I realize yet another way that I tend to fail, another weakness, another fault, another failure.  And when I am reminded of those things, I find myself feeling guilty, ashamed, worthless.  I consider my lack of faithfulness to God, my habit of disobedience, my failures as a minister, a husband, a son.  And when I consider these things, when I take a look at myself in the mirror and see these many faults, I start to feel depressed.  I start to feel like I just can't get anything right.  I wonder what in the world is wrong with me.  But then, at just the right time, when I am overwhelmed by guilt, when I am drowning in self-pity, when I feel like there is no hope, two little words rush through my mind and rescue me.  Two words that have the power to change so much inside of me.  What are these life-changing, day-saving words?

"But God."

I feel depressed, saddened by my many failures, but God steps in and reminds me that all of my sins have been forgiven.

I feel disappointed, like I will never change, like I will never get things right, but God whispers in my ear, "I am not through with you."

I feel frustrated, angry at myself because I am not stronger, better, holier, but God stops me, telling me that I am loved, just the way I am.

Whenever I feel worthless, hopeless, and helpless; whenever I feel like I will always be a failure; whenever I feel like God is done with me, I am reminded of this fact:

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ..."

I have sinned, but God has forgiven me.

I was dead, but God gave me life.

I was lost, but God found me and loved me.

I don't want to dwell on my failures anymore.  I don't want to live with the feelings of guilt and shame.  I don't want to beat myself up about all of my faults.  Instead, I want to give it all to God.  I want to remind myself that because of God's love, because of His mercy, I am free.  I am alive.  I am saved.

I want to always remember those two little words.  Those two words that remind me of God's amazing grace.  Those two words that tell the story of a man who, in all of his brokenness and shame, found salvation and redemption and hope and joy in nothing but God.