GRACE IN THE MIDST OF FAILURE: FINDING FREEDOM FROM GUILT (Guest Post)

Do you carry a burden of guilt? Are you wearied by thoughts of the past? Jenni from Live Called is here today to share very helpful insights into the problem of guilt. I pray that her words are an encouragement to you as you seek freedom in the only one who can save us from our sins.

Some days life is a little chaotic. Difficult. Exhausting. Some days I feel like a failure as a wife and mother. Do you ever have days like that?

I will be honest. Sometimes I’m not a picture perfect example of a godly woman. At times I’m rude and disrespectful to my husband. I can easily become impatient with my daughter. My home isn’t always as clean as I would like. My quiet times are non-existent some mornings. I feel like I’m failing because I can’t do it all.

Guilt begins to gnaw at my heart.

While it is appropriate to be repentant of sinful actions, it is important to realize that not every failure should result in feelings of guilt.

Did you know that there are two types of guilt?

1. Real Guilt - The kind that leads to conviction and repentance
2. False Guilt - The kind that leads to self-condemnation

Real Guilt comes from the prompting of the Holy Spirit when we sin against God. We can measure our actions against the Bible to see if they are sinful. We then have the opportunity to repent and turn away from our wrong-doings. Real guilt encourages us come back to a right relationship with our Savior and helps us grow in our spiritual walk.

“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” –Isaiah 44:22

False Guilt come from the lies of Satan by bringing up our past sins and short-comings. He often twists Scripture or uses other people to manipulate our feelings. False Guilt makes us question our adequacy, value and spirituality.

Whichever type of guilt you have, you will need to take action in order to find freedom.

3 Steps to Getting Rid of Guilt

1. Analyze. Is your guilt from sinful actions? Is your heart right with God? Is Satan reminding you of past sin you have already repented of? Is someone manipulating your emotions? Ponder these questions and determine if you have Real Guilt or False Guilt.

2. Pray. Take your guilt before the Lord. If you need to repent of something, do so. If you are suffering from a false sense of guilt, ask the Lord to help you move past it.

3. Move forward. Stand on the promise of God that your failures are forgiven and move on. Don’t allow yourself to dwell on past mistakes. Fill your mind with Scripture that reminds you of the grace of our Savior.

“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”
–Psalm 130:3-4

What a beautiful promise! We can find freedom in forgiveness so we better serve our Redeemer. Let us embrace this truth so we can live our lives for the glory of God in freedom.

What steps do you need to take to find freedom from guilt?

 

About the Author:

Jenni Mullinix is happily married to her handsome husband and a stay-at-home mama to her active, red-headed daughter.

As a Christian homemaker living in the Midwest, she is fascinated with all things domestic. She also enjoys deep conversations, drinking lattes, and diving into a good book.

Jenni passionately encourages women to live for the glory of God in every season of life on her blog, Live Called and would love to connect with you through Facebook and Twitter.

 

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This post is linked to Life in Bloom and Thought Provoking Thursday.