In Chapter 12 (“Buried Under Rocks of Regret- When the Person You Need to Forgive is You”) of How to Forgive, June Hunt states that, surprisingly, forgiving ourselves is not always easy to do. It may even be more difficult than forgiving others.
Ms. Hunt uses the powerful acrostic F-O-R-G-I-V-E-N to help you deal positively and effectively with y0ur guilt- in the process allowing God to fully apply His completed work of redemption. “F” and “O” are covered today.
Find the source of your guilt. True guilt is our friend and a spiritual signal something is wrong, as Ms. Hunt explains:
“True guilt is a spiritual warning. It tells us our sins are veiling who we are, children of God, and what we’re called to do, reflect His image (emphasis June’s).”
While true guilt is based on specific sinful actions, false guilt causes a deep sense of unworthiness. We perceive ourselves as basically defective and can’t stop blaming ourselves. False built is toxic. God’s purpose for guilt is for correction and building up. God’s purpose is not to destroy your heart or cripple your soul and spirit.
Own responsibility for your sin. Once you’ve identified the source of your guilt, the next step is to repent and confess the offense. In Why Forgive?, Johann Christoph Arnold wrote that “guilt works in secret, and it loses its power only when it is allowed out into the open.”
June adds that if guilt feelings persist after you have confessed your sins to God and accepted His forgiveness, it could be that you need to repair the damage caused by your offense in order to be completely free.
Today’s question: Has “forgiving ourselves” been a personal issue for you following your vocation loss? What has helped you deal positively and effectively with your guilt? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Too good to be true”
