The slogan “Guilt – the gift that keeps on giving” is often mentioned in recovery circles. Guilt reminds us of our wrongful actions and thoughts. The Bible teaches us how to recognize guilt in various forms and gives us God’s instructions on how to deal properly with all guilt.
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. Because of their guilt, they hid from God and tried to cover themselves. We, at times, continue to act just like the first humans. Neither of them accepted the blame for what they had done but tried to shift the blame to someone else.
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. 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.
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 CEV)
Guilt is a blessing that keeps on giving when we allow it to become a reminder to us to seek forgiveness for any wrongs we have done and to ask God to remove all our shortcomings.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to quickly deal with guilt when I have done wrong. Also, help me to forgive others for their wrongful acts just like you have forgiven me. Amen
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