The Blessing of Guilt

A songwriter once penned the words, “What if your blessings come through raindrops? What if a thousand trials are what it takes to know who you are?”. The author of the song describes an unusual expectation of God. A God who is willing to allow us through situations of trial and tribulations to understand and build a stronger relationship. As David wrote in Psalms 25, “He leads me through the valley of the shadow of death”. Such experiences are hurtful, and humiliating at times and can make us feel ashamed of our representation of the God we serve.

These moments should remind us about God’s assured promise that whom He loves, He chastens. He has guaranteed us that when we pass through the waters they shall not overwhelm us. Most importantly, when we seek him, we shall find him and He’s already provided an avenue for us when we fall into temptation through Christ Jesus, our advocate who intercedes on our behalf.

Guilt is a result of us feeling ashamed of the sins we’ve committed. Sin aims at separating us from the love of God. It will make us feel unworthy to serve God, unworthy to represent him, and unworthy to be called Christians. We have the feeling of letting God down again and again even after making commitments that we shall not sin again. These are the daily struggles of those who choose to walk with Christ. As a matter of fact, Jesus Himself assures us that in this world we shall face many troubles. Paul also in 2 Timothy 3:12 reminds us that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Our hope however is that we can rejoice since Christ has already overcome and we can rely upon his strength to overcome as well.

The blessing of guilt is in reminding you of your sinful nature and calling you to repentance (1). A reminder we see in Romans 7:24 that who shall save me from this body of death? Guilt will remind you that all have fallen and come short of God’s glory as seen in Romans 3:23. When you experience such moments, it’s a moment to evaluate your walk with God. Ask yourself, have I been keeping the narrow way? Have I abandoned the old ways kept by our fathers? I’m I still walking by faith or I’m trusting in my own understanding? Ask yourself, Have I been the best example of a child of God, or I have led more people away from our savior? Evaluate your daily walk with Christ to identify which areas you have let your guard down. Pick up the Godly desires that you once held onto. Lay aside your pursuit of vein passions. Focus on Christ and align your purpose with His.

At the end, when you have conquered, not through your own strengths but through Christ The Savior, you shall go to a place where there will be no pain or crying. There’s no night there. You shall give praises to God for you will have conquered the evils of this world. I pray that may you utilize the ‘blessing of guilt’ to better your walk with Christ and never to be ashamed when you fall into sin. Rise up, repent and try again for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. (Proverbs 24:16)