Guilt can be defined as a feeling of remorse of something we have done intentionally or not.  It can also be a negative feeling that eats away at us, because we don’t see a way out.  We’ve all experienced it at one time or another.  We don’t like the feeling.  It causes us to be sad, embarrassed, weak and ashamed.  If we let it, guilt will take away our confidence, our hope, our desire for improvement and our faith.

The devil uses this to pull us away from God.  He makes us think we’re unworthy of forgiveness – which is a half truth.  By our own doing, we aren’t worthy.  The more guilt we pour on ourselves or allow the devil to convince us of, the more we feel useless and hopeless.

God provides an answer for us.  He has given us an out for our guilt.  He sent His own Son to carry our ugliness – our shame – our sin to the cross and bury it there.  Because of that sacrifice we are guiltless in God’s sight.  Our sin has been forgiven once and for all.

What a gift!  We don’t deserve this unconditional love, but the God of Creation thinks we do.  He loves us in spite of our guilt.

Dear God, I know that I have sinned and will continue to sin until you take me home to paradise, but I also know that you’ve ransomed me.  Help me now, to turn to you in times of struggle and pain.  Help me to know that I have been forgiven and that my guilt no longer has to haunt me.  Give me the courage to fight the insidious lies of the devil.  Grant me your peace.  Amen!