“This is a time to let go of our need to silence the feelings of guilt and shame and instead see them as invitations to fly to Christ for love and forgiveness.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
“And he who searches hearts knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”- Romans 8:27 (ESV)
In today’s blog, Kyle Strobel and John Coe conclude their discussion of their steadying pastoral wisdom.
4. We cannot fix ourselves; only God forms Christ within us. Rather than fear your guilt and shame, come to Christ. Never seek to manage them in your own power. Instead, due to the work of Christ, guilt and shame serve as invitations to abide.
5. Resist the temptation to generate consolation. Because it’s not your job to generate anything. God’s mercies stand ready for us, whether in consolation or desolation. Therefore, open yourself to God in obedience. And abide in Him in whatever you are experiencing.
6. Seek out a mentor or pastoral guide to assist your navigation. Above all, find a mentor who knows something of life in the Spirit, who sees all, and prays for you. In addition, your pastoral guide can help you maintain a God-ward vision, always going to Christ for help.
7. In His sovereignty, God does a unique work to call you to Himself. Hence, God issues an invitation to take a journey through the soul into the presence of a loving God. A God who lives within us and transforms our hearts to conform to His own.
Therefore, these are times to:
- let the Lord search our hearts (Psalm 129:23-24).
- know God deeply in the truth of your own sins.
- know He is gentle and humble in heart, the One who gives rest to our souls (Matthew 11:28-30).
Today’s question: Do you see guilt and shame as invitations to fly to Christ? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the annotated bibliography of When God Seems Distant