Lifting The Fog Of Guilt

In recent weeks in Vancouver we've had the promise of sunny days taken away by fog that has settled over the city.  Many of us live with hope and great promise as we move forward in these early days of the new year.  Somehow though, nagging feelings of guilt seem to rob us of the goodness we expected as surely as the promised sun was covered by the fog.  Where do these feelings come from and what can we do about them. 

Yesterday we looked at one source of feelings of guilt -- wrong doing on our part -- and how to confess to God and get these feelings removed by his forgiveness and cleansing. While we are able to admit some shortcomings, there are often areas in each of our lives where we try to deny and excuse wrongs that we've done.  As long as we continue with that perspective, we will experience guilt that weighs us down and robs us of life that is full and satisfying.

The Bible tells us, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8 NIV)

It's often easier for us to blame others, see the faults of others, and use that to excuse or rationalize our own behaviour. Jesus wants us to live free and so He invites us to reconsider this practice:  "Hypocrite!  First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.”  (Matthew 7:5 NLT)

King David learned this when he said, "Finally, 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 NLT)

So, let's not let the fog of denial and guilt rob us of the joy of living today.  Let's admit that, just like everyone else, we've done wrong.  Let's take responsibility for the choices and actions we've made.  Let's ask for, and receive forgiveness from God and others and move back into the sunshine of a clear conscience. 

©2015 Partners in Hope