Throw off the Chains of Guilt

READ: PSALM 103:8-12; MICAH 7:18-19; ROMANS 8:1-4

When I was a freshman in high school, I messed up. I lied and misused my parents’ trust—and I got caught. The broken relationship with my parents (as well as losing my privileges) hurt, and I beat myself up about it for a long time. I had sleepless nights and bouts of sobbing because I couldn’t believe how stupid I’d been and how bad I was. I couldn’t forgive myself. Even though Jesus had forgiven my guilt, I still felt so guilty. It was a constant, unbearable weight.

Satan wanted my shame to make me doubt Jesus’s forgiveness and lose my way. In time, though, I realized something incredible: I didn’t have to carry that burden. Because of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and mercy, I could give my shame to Jesus, over and over again, as many times as it took before I could let go. I kept taking it back and telling myself I still deserved the feelings of guilt even after Jesus forgave me. But, through the struggle, Jesus was patient with me, and I eventually gave my shame over this incident to Him for good.

You may be struggling with guilt and shame too. But God’s Word tells us that all people are guilty of sin, yet He loves us even in our failures (Romans 3:23-24). It was because He loves us that Jesus died on the cross, taking the punishment for all our sins—past, present, and future. Since Jesus rose from the grave, everyone who has put their trust in Him has already been declared innocent, permanently. So, when we sin, may the feelings of guilt drive us to Jesus, who understands our struggles and offers us boundless grace every time we fall. He picks us up, smothers us in His mercy and love, and bears our burdens so we don’t have to.

If you know Jesus, everything you’ve ever done or ever will do has already been forgiven. So, instead of living in the past and beating yourself up, you can come to Jesus with all your guilt—He is eager to help you throw off the shackles of shame and bask in His love and forgiveness. • Martalisa Fischer

• Can you think of a time you felt stuck in a cycle of guilt, but then God helped you get out of it? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! (2 Corinthians 7:10)

• Are you feeling burdened by guilt today? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about any sins that come to mind and thank Him for His sure forgiveness. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

• Why is it sometimes difficult to forgive ourselves even when we know God has forgiven us? Who is a mature Christian in your life you can be honest with when that happens?

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NIV)