Thoughts On Guilt
Guilt —— an emotion that tells us that we have done something wrong.
We, as imperfect humans, understand this feeling well. Guilt can feel piercing and uncomfortable. I have never met a human who loves the feeling of guilt. However, guilt also has a positive value in our lives.
Dr. Gary Collins explains that there are two types of guilt:
Objective Guilt —— This is the type of guilt that occurs when a law has been broken. "I have broken a law, therefore, I am guilty."
Subjective Guilt —— This is the type of guilt that occurs as a result of my actions. "I feel remorse and guilt because of my actions."
Guilt in the Bible
Guilt in the Bible can often be defined as an emotion that occurs when a person chooses to live contrary to the design of God. God created us to function in harmony with His design. When we violate His design for human flourishing, we feel guilt. We are also created in the Image of God. When we violate the Image of God by doing something contrary to God's nature, we feel a deep sense of guilt.
Processing Guilt
The challenge with guilt is not understanding the anatomy of it, rather learning how to process it in a healthy manner.
So… how do we process this emotion?
How do we move from the feeling of guilt to a place of peace with our wrongdoing?
How can we both admit our wrong choice, and also move forward in freedom and forgiveness?
Here are a few helpful tips for processing guilt in a healthy manner:
Examine the root of guilt. Why am I feeling guilt? Is this feeling based on wrongdoing? Is this feeling based on a neutral opinion that has no moral value? Is this feeling based on someone making me feel bad about myself based on their values?
Understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy guilt. Guilt is not meant to be a destination to live. Guilt is an emotion communicating the need to examine our actions and values. It is an emotion that is healthy when we look at it as a pit-stop rather than a destination.
Embrace a healthy view of guilt as an opportunity to change. If we did do something wrong, we can take responsibility for that action. And we can also take responsibility for growth and change. Taking responsibility for our actions, and choosing growth and change are emotionally healthy responses.
Pay attention to guilt that leads to cycles of internal self-condemnation. Self-condemnation is not healthy. These thoughts about ourself assault our value and worth as humans created in the Image of God.
Remember that you are human. Being human in a broken world means that we are imperfect and in process of becoming who we deeply want to be. Perfection is not reality, nor is it a healthy mindset. A healthy reality and mindset is to view yourself as in process. We are in a state of becoming, and along the way we will see our imperfections. There is forgiveness and grace in Jesus for every imperfect choice.
Don't hide your guilt. We were created to communicate our emotions honestly before God and others. Hiding the emotion of guilt will often increase the feeling. The key to being free from the oppression of guilt is confession. Confession means that we can be honest with God. Confession also means that we can be honest with someone we trust.
Guilt is an emotion that can lead us to a better place in our character, habits and growth. If we see guilt as an emotion that leads to examination and growth, rather than a destination to remain stuck, we can utilize it as a positive catalyst in our lives.
There Are Better Days Ahead.
Much Love + Peace,
Wesley, Founder + Speaker