Guilt I am loved by Jesus and he has forgiven my sins. Today is a new day and the past is behind.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:5-7: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you. God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Words from Pastor Phil Ressler:
"We can learn from our past. We don't need to live in the guilt of those past mistakes. While the past may shape up and guide us, the past will not define us."
Therefore, if anyone in in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Jesus came to set us free from our guilt. In him we move forward in freedom from the guilt of the past."
"Present Guilt: This is when we fall short of our expectations. Know the path to victory is never a straight line. For every two steps forward, there is one step back. As we pursue God's path, Satan will work even harder to push us off course. Jesus enables us to keep moving forward."
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
"When you can't, know that Jesus can. Jesus paid it all. He takes our guilt upon himself when we receive the gift of his salvation by faith. He receives the punishment that was ours. He takes our place."
I looked up guilt and shame on Dictionary.com; Guilt and shame are really two different things and yet they can go hand-in-hand.
Guilt: a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined.
Shame: disgrace; ignominy
Guilt is more of an awareness of having done something wrong. Its being aware of what you are responsible for. Guilt can be good. Guilt can help us to take action to work at righting a wrong. It can help us change our words, actions, and/or thoughts. Staying stuck in that feeling of guilt will lead to feelings of shame.
Shame is more of a painful feeling. Shame has the ability to cripple a person. Shame can be caused by not dealing with something you did wrong, but shame can also come from believing that it is your fault that something has happened even when it is not. "It is the belief that you, or a part of you, is defective or inadequate. Words of shame are reflective of seeing oneself as "bad," "ugly," "stupid," "incompetent," "damaged." (or needy and a burden) It is an isolating experience that makes us think we are completely alone and unique in our belief that we are unlovable. Secretly, we feel like we are to blame. Shame reflects an internal darkness in one's soul. And it is because of this our recovery truly has spiritual meaning. Underneath layers of shame you will find that abandonment is at the foundation." -Changing Course by Claudia Black, Ph.D (my words added)
Whether you are feeling guilty because you have done something wrong to someone, or you are feeling guilty because you believe that it is your fault something has happened even though that is not true, you have to take the necessary steps to deal with your guilt. We can't hold on to it. You can not play the game of blame; we gave that up already anyway, right? :) We have to run to God, run to his word, run to a trusted friend, run to professional help; do whatever you have to do to "run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
Satan will turn our guilt in shame and he will use it to hold us down if we let him. Shame can keep us locked in a self-centered prison. When you are locked away in a prison you miss out on a lot in life. I know what that prison feels like. I know it can be hard to take the necessary steps when you feel that shame; when you feel unworthy. But we are all worthy because God created us. He created us because he wanted to, because he wanted us; all of us. Go back and read John 3:16-18. God gave his ONLY Son, Jesus, to die on a cross so the world could have the opportunity spend eternity with him; that is how much he wants you, that is how worthy you are.
Ask God to forgive you and he will, every time, and if he can forgive you than you can forgive you. Then let it go and move on; use it as a learning experience and let that experience strengthen you.
God, thank you for loving me so much that you would give your only Son so that I can be in relationship with you. Thank you for reminding me everyday that I have no reason to feel shame. I can take that feeling of guilt that you give me and use it to deal with the issue at hand and then I can let it go and live a life that is pleasing to you. You know I am human and I am not perfect; I will make mistakes and I will have time of confusion and false feelings, and you love me, and forgive me when I seek out your forgiveness. When you look at me all you see is that beautiful, worthy, unique, desired being that you created. I am perfectly-imperfect and I am worthy! With all of my love and trust in Jesus' name Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment