Festering Wound

When I was a freshman in high school, I messed up. I lied and I 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 fits of sobbing because I couldn’t believe how stupid I had 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 burden.

Satan was trying to use my shame to make me doubt Jesus’ 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 Him, 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, in Christ, we are loved even in our failures: because Jesus took the punishment for all our sins—past, present, and future. If we trust in Him, we are no longer declared guilty. He has already declared us innocent, permanently. When we sin, the feelings of guilt drive us to Jesus, who understands our struggles and offers us boundless grace every time we fall. He forgives our sins, He picks us up, He smothers us in His mercy and love, and He bears our burdens so we don’t have to. And, one day, He will return to destroy sin, guilt, and shame forever, and we will live in perfect relationship with Him.

If your faith is in Christ, everything you’ve ever done or ever will do has already been forgiven, so there’s no use living in the past and beating yourself up. Because of what Jesus has done, you are free from the power of sin and free to live a life that glorifies Him. Pray that God will help you throw off the shackles of shame and bask in His forgiveness, understanding, and love. • Martalisa Fischer

• Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of guilt? What helped you get out of it?

• How does our freedom from sin enable us to obey and glorify God?

• Why is it sometimes difficult to forgive ourselves even when we know God has forgiven us? Who is a trusted adult in your life you can talk to when that happens?

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

Read Verses:

Ephesians 4:29-32