Battling Guilt

This devotion was taken from a book of devotions that my daughter, Megan Kimbrough, and I wrote years ago. The book is titled "Dancing Like a Shepherd Boy, Fighting Like a King." It was designed as a flip book for pre-teens. One half of the book was about the victories (dances) in David's life. The other half was about his struggles. Enjoy this devotion about his struggle with guilt.

Sword of the Spirit  (2 Samuel 12:13)

Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD."

Nathan replied, "Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won't die for this sin." (For more information about David's sin against God and man, read 2 Samuel 11 & 12)

David's Battle: Guilt

Have you ever felt so bad, so guilty that you just didn't think you could ever make things right again?  David reached this point even after he became King!  He seemed to do one wrong thing after another.  First he slept with Bathsheba, a woman who wasn't his wife.  Then, when he found out she was pregnant, he had her husband killed.  For awhile, David tried to act like everything was cool – like he hadn't done anything wrong.  Ever do that?  God sent Nathan the prophet to David, to let him know that God was broken-hearted over what had happened.  What David had done was wrong, and he knew it.  Once Nathan "caught him in the act," he suddenly felt overwhelmed with guilt.  It made him feel sick all the way to the core of his being.  But somehow, like the King that he was, David managed to do the right thing to turn the situation around.  What did he do right?  David confessed his sin – both to God and to Nathan.  He admitted that what he had done was wrong.  He recognized in his heart of hearts that he had sinned against God – not just man.  His confession set the wheels in motion to make things right again.  Not only did God forgive him, but ultimately David learned to forgive himself.  The guilt was lifted, and he was free to move on.

Strategic Questions:

Is there a difference between conviction and guilt?
When we feel convicted by our sin, how should we respond?
Once we've been forgiven, should we have anything to feel guilty about?

Putting On Your Armor:

Do you ever battle with guilt like David did?  All of us are sinners.  We all do things that break God's heart at times.  But if we ask for His forgiveness, He gives it freely.  We may not always want to confess our sins.  David didn't either.  He was pretty stubborn about it, in fact.  When we get like that, God has to send people like Nathan to us.  Nathan wasn't fooling around with David.  He meant business.  There's a reason for that. As much as our sin hurts us, it usually hurts others, too.  Carrying the guilt of that can be a heavy burden.  Often the Lord will ask us to go to those we've hurt and ask for their forgiveness.  This may not be easy, but it's worth it in the end.  Receiving their forgiveness can lift a huge weight off of our shoulders and it reassures the person that we've hurt that we are not their enemy.  Even if they choose not to forgive us, we will always know that we did the right thing.  Once God has forgiven us and we've set things right with others, it's time to forgive ourselves.  This is often the hardest of all.  However, with God all things are possible!  Jesus took our guilt and our shame on Himself when He died on the cross.  How awesome!  How totally amazing!  When He looks at us, he sees that we are as white as snow, innocent as lambs.  No more guilt!  Praise God!

S.O.S. (Speaking to Our Savior in prayer)

Oh Lord!

Sometimes I feel so guilty about the things I've done – the times I've hurt others and the times I've broken your heart.  Please forgive me, God – and help me to do whatever I need to do to make things right.  Please release me from this guilt and help me learn how to forgive myself.  Remind me that you sent your Son to free me from guilt and sin.  I ask all of this in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Which Side Are You On?  (Thought for the Day)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.  (Romans 8:1 – 2)