How To Deal With Guilt - Part 1

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

23 Jun 2008 09:45 PM

No doubt all of us have done things we're ashamed of and wish we could erase or do over - things that make us feel guilty. That guilt can have far reaching effects on us, on our emotional and physical health and also on our relationships with others. So what can we do to deal with that guilt?

And yes I know about guilt. I carried guilt around for a long time before I allowed God to help me deal with it.

So what can we do to deal with guilt? The first step is to admit that what we have done is wrong. It's no coincidence that one of the first points with Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and similar organizations is to have the person admit their problem. Admitting is the first step. It means we recognize we have a problem.

Similarly you might need to come before God as I often do and admit to being irritable or impatient or lacking in compassion or greedy or whatever sin or sins it is that you particularly need to deal with. God's Word tells us that, 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,' 1 John 1:9. Notice the verse doesn't say depending on what the sin is and how much trouble it has caused. It doesn't say God will only forgive some sins but 'all unrighteousness.'

Sadly we try and grade sins into ones like little white lies which on our scale might not amount to much and then at the other end of the scale would be big sins like murder. God is a holy God and doesn't see sins as we do and doesn't grade them either.

God's Word tells us we have 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' Romans 3:23. So, in that respect, none of us are any better off than others. We all need to come before God and confess and sins in true repentance. Repentance means turning away from them. Not going back to doing the same sin the next day but making a conscious effort to deal with that sin.

Join me tomorrow when we look further at dealing with guilt.

Bible verses from the New American Standard Version

Please visit these related blogs

Dealing with grief

single parents and guilt - part one- identify the source

10 ways to change your attitude

Is guilt a proper motivator?

Learn more about Dale Harcombe

Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

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