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TUESDAY

Dealing with guilt

Read: Psalm 121

You may well have come away from yesterday’s conversation with God feeling “Who am I to come to God with my problems?” Perhaps you feel that where you are is because of your own doing and that God must have much more serious issues than yours to attend to, or prayers to answer. The Psalmist does not tell us much about the nature of his problems, but in this affirmation of faith, he provides a few treasures that we can hold onto while we deal with feelings of guilt. Yesterday, you were encouraged to acknowledge the problem. The Psalmist does the same in the first verse by alluding to his state of being. Then the Psalmist adds the following verses, describing his assurance that he has the freedom to go to God and not be pinned down by feelings of hopelessness. Guilt, like shame, seems to drain us, imprison us and keep us away from any meaningful conversation with God. Why not try to bring your feelings of guilt to God? What is it that you feel guilty about? Do you feel that your situation is because of bad decisions or poor planning on your part? Do you feel guilty that this may affect those dearest to you? Name it, put it on the table. You can do so, because, as the Psalmist suggests, God hears your prayers and is not going to let you stumble. In fact, as you pray, you can have the assurance that God is the one who will provide shelter, protection, God’s presence and, most of all, forgiveness.

Prayer

Almighty God, thank you for hearing my prayer. Lord, I feel guilty about what I spoke to you about yesterday. I feel guilty because…

Please restore my spirit and grant me your peace. Thank you that your grace surrounds me and that in you I can find a place of safety. In your Name, I pray. Amen.

Suggestion

Whenever you are tempted during the course of this day to feel guilty and unworthy of God’s love, remind yourself that you are loved, treasured and forgiven.