After Your Mistakes—Even the Big Ones

The Apostle Peter was a fascinating person in the New Testament. He had the faith and courage to walk on water toward Jesus, but mere moments later he allowed his fears to overcome him and began to sink, crying out to the Lord for help (see Matthew 14:28–31). While we don’t know all the details of Peter’s life, we do know one time when he wept bitterly.

Only hours before Jesus Christ was arrested, He prophesied that Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed twice. Peter refused to believe such a prophecy and “spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise” (Mark 14:31).

Of course, the Savior’s prophecy turned true. With the terror and fear surrounding the Savior’s arrest, Peter’s bravery failed him. After already denying that he knew the Savior twice, and being pressed a third time, Peter “began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak” (Mark 14:71).

When the cock crowed twice and Peter remembered the Savior’s prophecy, “he … wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).

But that’s not the end of his story!

By all we can learn in the scriptures, Peter’s fears never again overtook his testimony of Jesus Christ. He testified boldly of the Savior at every opportunity, no matter the personal risk in doing so. Remember, Peter was teaching a people who had just crucified Jesus Christ! The danger was real.

When Peter healed a man lame since birth, commanding him, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6), he was arrested along with John and questioned how he performed this miracle.

Peter answered boldly, “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10–12).

What a courageous answer! And clear evidence of his convictions.

Each of us is going to sin in this life. Despite our very best efforts, we’re going to fall short of our hopes and intentions from time to time. As President Jeffrey R. Holland (1940–2025), President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, once taught, “Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with.”

Your spiritual worth is not defined or limited by your mistakes—even the big ones! Because he repented and Christ forgave him, Peter’s denial of Christ didn’t prevent him from later testifying, teaching, and converting with great power. The scriptures are full of examples of other disciples who sinned, repented, and carried on with faith in Christ.

Satan will always try to convince you that your mistakes are adding up and that you will never be able to overcome them. Ignore his lies!

Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, taught: “You need to hear this, so I’ll say these words out loud: You are not the voice in your head or the mistakes you have made. You may need to say that out loud too. Tell Satan, ‘Not today.’ Put him behind you.

“Feel that pull, the godly sorrow that turns you toward your Savior, and watch His grace enter into your life and the lives of those you love. I promise that the minute we bring a broken heart courageously toward Him, He is immediately there.”

This Easter season, as you ponder more fully the Savior’s Atonement, remember that the ability to repent and try again is one of the greatest gifts you can ever receive. Because of Jesus Christ, your worst mistakes can be forgiven and then cast off like heavy chains.

“The Savior is forever brighter than the darkness of shame,” Sister Runia has taught.

Because of Jesus Christ, hope can always shine brightly ahead as you stay focused on Him.