Feelings of Guilt
Feelings of guilt can be a catalyst to transform our hearts or it can become a despair which traps us in a dark abyss of depression. For mom in her bipolar world, feelings of guilt drove her to the place of attempting suicide. She wanted to escape from her own feelings of guilt, which caused her so much pain. Never recognizing the forgiveness of God, the grace she had been given, she was tortured by sins of the past. We cannot negate our sin, for it is real. However, our guilt must be laid before the cross of Christ alongside our sin. We can never gain victory over the sin while remaining so preoccupied with self that we cannot allow God to be the only strength to overcome it. As Ravi Zacharias wrote in his book Cries of the Heart.
When expelled by irreverence, guilt makes life in mutual harmony unlivable. .. smothered by pride it makes one’s life unaccountable. When concealed by fear it makes the pain unbearable. (If) dismissed as cultural it makes morality untenable. When claiming absolute innocence before God it makes the claim unjustifiable. (Yet) when guilt surrenders to the grace of God, it makes the sin forgivable. [1]
Haunted by Guilt
Haunted as well by guilt, I too, had a lot to learn before I could understand the joy of God in my life. Guilt often drove me back into the sin which I so desired to overcome; because, I falsely believed I must overcome it myself before God’s grace could cover it. Only through learning to abide in Christ, letting go of self and pride can I or you be freed from the devastating feelings of guilt. Did I just say wallowing in our guilt is an act of pride? Yes, my own inability to accept His forgiveness is Pride and Pride is sin. I must acknowledge my inability to live a righteous Christian life before a Holy God, before, I can learn to abide in Him.
Sometimes my feelings of guilt are real, due to sin in my life that needs to be addressed. And sometimes, my feelings of guilt come from a preoccupation or belief that I am responsible for another’s feelings. Much of my life, I lived with a cloud of guilt, believing that Mom’s depression was my fault. Certainly, this at times lead to my responding poorly to her which added to my guilt. My responses were wrong and needed to be dealt with seeking forgiveness from God and Mom; however, the root of guilt was based on a false premise.
What Then of Guilt?
We are all guilty of sin and unworthy of God’s Grace. Feelings of guilt over our sin brings us to the cross of Jesus Christ, where all our sin and guilt was paid for. We must learn to accept our guilt before God, come to Him with a truly broken and contrite heart, and then, accept the forgiveness He has so graciously provided.
Sin scorches us most after we receive the grace of forgiveness, not before. The forgiven one realizes the gravity of the sin more when he or she is genuinely repentant and has been forgiven. God beckons our crying hearts to come to Him in repentance. This makes our sin forgiveable.[2]
Then, the sweetness of that forgiveness, the joy of knowing God’s Grace, drives us daily into His presence; because, we love Him who loved us first. There we learn to abide in Him. Only He has the power to overcome sin in our lives. We cannot ourselves. There is a freedom in letting go, dying to self-daily, forgetting our past, and allowing His power to live and shine through us.
Brethern, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to tell me your story or thoughts comment here
Do You Want to Know the Secret to Abiding Steadfast Joy?
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.
ANOTHER Book Available
You can find this and all my books on Amazon.com, search Effie Darlene Barba or click this link to be taken there
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.
Or for inspirational photos or home decor click here.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits
[1] Ravi Zacharias, Cries of the Heart, (Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2002), 116.
[2] Ibid.
Photo by lucas clarysse on Unsplash