Dealing with Guilt - Lillian Deakin
I had started preparing something to speak on. When one night a week later I was wrestling with guilt from years ago. I could not settle and the incident ran through my mind again and again. God spoke to me and I knew I had to change what I was planning to say. This has happened once or twice before. It is quite exciting knowing that God was giving me something specific.
God said to me you don’t have to feel guilty when you mess up. You are only human. All your mistakes are forgiven by the power of the cross. God has forgiven each and every one of us.
I thought this is so true. We can spend a lot of our time feeling guilty for something we did years ago and even a week ago. This guilt is a false kind of guilt because we are already forgiven. God has forgiven us we don’t have to feel guilty God knows and understands our weaknesses. The enemy uses this guilt to weaken us so we feel we cannot do God’s work. We need to remind ourselves and the enemy that God has forgiven all of our mistakes completely. Use the armour of God to help retrain your mind to think as God thinks. The Helmet of salvation that God has saved you. You are his son or daughter. The breastplate of righteousness is God’s righteousness shining out from you the darkness flees such light. The belt of truth is having God’s word in you. The shield of faith quenches all the fiery darts of the evil. These come flying towards you trying to accuse you and the shield of faith comes up and the flame dies. The sword of the spirit is the word that God gives you for each situation you face it will be different for every situation. Wayne was asked to speak when we were in Zimbabwe on one of our early trips. He had not prepared and did not know what to say. He said I don’t know what to say and God said just open up your mouth and speak. Finally the shoes that take you where ever God wants you to be. Ephesians 6:11-13. Rom 12:2 says Do not coform to the pattern of theis world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Heb 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses but we have one who is tempted in every way as we are yet he did not sin.
There are some pointers to how we can deal with this guilt:
Recognise that God has forgiven you. 1 John 1:9 If you confess your sins then he is faithful and Just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Forgive others who have hurt you. This may be hard but it is important. Col 3:13 forgive others as God has forgiven you. This can be quite releasing.
Forgive yourself this was a biggy for me. One night as tried to sleep and my mistakes came flooding into my mind. God said to me Lillian you have to forgive yourself. He told me to say Lillian I forgive you. I had to say this over and over again several times. It was such a relief when I did this. I felt the release and slept peacefully.
When you mess up ask God’s forgiveness. Then if you need to ask forgiveness or put or put anything right then do it.
Also don’t forget to forgive yourself.
Allow yourself to make mistakes without beating yourself up. Don’t expect that you will be perfect only God is perfect. This will set the bar too high just do your best and if you make a mistake just pick yourself up and carry on Don’t beat yourself up. He loves you the way you are, but he also loves you enough to change you into the beautiful person he wants you to become. You are a new creation 2 Cor 5:17.
Rom 7: 15-20. Paul says I have the desire to do good but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do but the evil I do not want to do this I keep on doing. …. What a wretched man I am. Who will rescue me. Thanks be to God who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thank God for taking your guilt away. Remember the answer to this request is yours before you even ask. Rejoice in your new found freedom in Christ
What does God say about guilt
I have chosen to remember your sins no more Heb 10:17.
As far as the east is from the west so far have removed your sins from you. Ps 103: 12.
God’s word is final he cannot remember our mistakes it as if they never happened.
Remember it is the enemy who tries to remind us of past mistakes. When Jesus was tempted in the desert he used the word of God to speak against all that Satan was saying. We too can do this when negative thoughts come into our minds by using what is in God’s word, what God has said to us and what the Spirit says to us. Focus on what God has done for you on the cross. This is part of renewing your mind. Retraining your mind to think as God thinks.
In Gethsemane Jesus turned to his father in deep distress and asked him to remove the cup from him. Yet he submitted to God’s will and said not my will but your will be done. Recognising that his father had the greater plan for him and the world. We too need to turn to God and cry out to him and then listen and see what he says to us.
Jesus told a parable of the prodigal son from Luke 15:11-31. When the prodigal son returned the father saw him and ran to meet. He freely forgave him even before he asked. Imagine this the father has to let the son go even though he knew it was not the best thing for him. It must have grieved him so much. He kept looking for him to come back. The son eventually did come to his senses and returned to his father. He was a changed man. He asked to be accepted as a slave or hired servant. The father would have none of this and called for the best clothes to be put on him and threw a massive party for him. This is the response God has when each of us come to him and humbly ask forgiveness. This is because God desires to have to have fellowship with us. What love God shows us.
Peter denied knowing Jesus before when he waited in the court yard of Pontius pilot. As soon as he had done this Peter was full of remorse and ran away as Jesus looked towards him. Later Jesus forgave him and reinstated him in John 21:15-22. Jesus had prepared a barbeque breakfast for them and cooked some fish for them. Then he spoke to Peter asking him if he loved him (Jesus). Three times Jesus asked him and three times Peter replied yes I do you know I love you. Three times Jesus told Peter to feed my Sheep. Jesus was telling Peter to look after those people that were following Jesus and listening to his teaching. Then after the Holy Spirit came on the disciples in the upper room Acts 2:1-13 it was Peter who tried to explain to the crowd that had gathered what was happening and 3,000 were saved on that day all because the Holy Spirit had come and Peter was obedient Christ when he said feed my sheep.
Remember you are a new creation 2 Cor 5:17
Keep reminding yourself of what God has said about you and to you through his word, prophesy or just a word of encouragement someone gave you.
Fellowship closely with other Christians.
Spend time fellowshipping with God. This can be where ever you are.
Thank and Praise God for your forgiveness, freedom, sonship and relationship with God. Do not let God rob you of this. Remember what God says about you. In fact keep a record of all that God has said to you and look at it from time to time.
You are precious in God’s sight. Is 43: 4
YOU are his child. Gal 3: 26 – 28
So in Christ we are all children of God through faith. For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. You are all one in Christ Jesus.
You are the apple of his eye Zech 2:8
In summary then:
Recognise that God has forgiven you. 1 John 1:9
Forgive yourself
Allow yourself to make mistakes. Don’t expect to be perfect only God is perfect. He loves you just the way you are but he also loves you enough to change you into the beautiful person he knows you are.
Thank God for taking Your Guilt away. You are a new creation 2 Cor 5:17
Rejoice in your new found freedom
Heb 10: 15 – 17
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. This is the covenant I will make with them. After that time says the Lord I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them in their minds. He adds their sins I will remember no more. God’s Law is the law of Love against which there is no law.