Read:

Psalm 103:10-11, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him.”

Romans 6:7, “Because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”

Think:

Most of us begin carrying the suitcase of shame at a young age. Maybe you made an athletic team in middle school and your best friend didn’t, and you couldn’t stop feeling guilty. Or, as an adult, you may feel guilt over spending too much time at work, too much money on certain items, and not enough time with your kids. The list expands every day.

Guilt was never at the center of God’s plan for our lives. It steals the life out of us and controls our reality. God wants us to be free. He died for us to be free.

Guilt has no boundaries. Think about it. We experience guilt for what we said or what we didn’t say. We encounter guilt for what we do or what we didn’t do. Guilt is purposeless and causes us to live in a mindless circle of self-defeat.

When we give our lives over to Jesus and accept His free gift of eternal salvation, our sins (past, present, and future) are wiped clean. We still have consequences, but we live forgiven. We can walk in freedom. Over the next few sessions, we will discuss guilt, shame, and regret, and explore the alternatives. We cannot only live, but we can thrive in freedom, unbound by guilt.

Act:

As you go through today, re-read the verses above to remind yourself of the freedom for which Jesus paid. Remember His sacrifice so you won’t live a life shackled by shame.

Pray:

Jesus, remind me that You paid it all, when I drift back into the lane of shame. Thank You for giving Your life so I can have life! Amen.