GUILT – THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
The slogan “Guilt – the gift that keeps on giving” is often mentioned in recovery circles. Guilt reminds us of our wrongful actions and thoughts.
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Psalm 51:2-3
God made us with a conscience where guilt reveals to us our wrongdoing. The Bible records that the first humans knew they had done wrong when they disobeyed God’s instructions. Neither of them accepted the blame for what they had done but tried to shift the blame to someone else. Because of their guilt, they hid from God and tried to cover themselves. We, at times, continue to act just like the first humans.
Guilt can become a true gift to us when it reminds us to deal with our wrongdoing so that we can be at peace with God, ourselves, and others. If we do not deal with our wrongdoing, guilt will fester and turn to shame. It’s this shame that causes us so many problems. Sometimes we try to overcome the shame we feel by justifying an offence, or by using our substance of choice to help us feel better. Neither of these options work.
Our God, you bless everyone whose sins you forgive and wipe away. You bless them by saying, “You told me your sins, without trying to hide them, and now I forgive you.” Psalm 32:1-2
The truth is that when we confess to God what we have done, He will forgive us and we will be freed from harmful shame. Then we will have the right heart to go to those we have harmed to seek reconciliation.
I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:5
Heavenly Father, even though we don’t enjoy experiencing guilt, we know that if we’ve done wrong this is a signal from You that we need to watch for and respond to. Help us today to turn from those things that You show us are harmful and wrong and to return to You for forgiveness, cleansing, and healing.
Help us to quickly deal with guilt when we have done wrong. Also, help us to forgive others for their wrongful acts just like you have forgiven us. Amen
Guilt – the gift that keeps on giving. Let’s let that gift be the forgiveness of God as we turn from our sins today and leave guilt behind.
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