Guilty!

Guilt is an overpowering feeling. By definition it means you’re responsible for a wrongdoing.

Some guilts cause regret and stay with us a long time and can weigh us down.

When is feeling guilt good? If our guilt causes repentance. If the little voice inside our head says we should confess our sins to God and ask forgiveness, it can be positive. However, if we continue to let our guilt fester without confession to God or our fellow man we can become miserable.

Recently, I blurted out something rude to someone I love and care for. As soon as it came out of my mouth I regretted it. In that moment, I just stood there and didn’t fix what I had said. So, God kept me up all night reminding me that my words were hurtful and I needed to apologize and confess my sins, not only to God but to my loved one. In that moment I confessed to God.

The next morning first thing, I made contact with my loved one and apologized for my hurtful and rude words. In that moment, the dear one forgave me. I admit, although I was forgiven it took me a long time to forgive myself. It still pops into my memory from time to time, but I am reminded that God forgives our sins when we confess them to him. In 1 John 1:9, we are reminded that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”

So, how do we take our guilt and sins and move forward?

1. Confess all known, previously I confessed sin. In Psalm 33:3-5, David said,”

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity; 

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

2. Ask God to reveal any other areas in your life that are sin.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

3. Seek to rectify any sins against others.

4. Trust in God’s word that he will remove your sin and guilt.

Isn’t God amazing? We can trust that his word is true.

Do you have any unconfessed sins as I did? Do you need to mend a broken relationship with an apology? Search your heart!

Blessings Sweet Friends,

Stacy