Letting go of guilt: I am a sinner, but that doesn’t define me

There is something you need to know.  Every day I sin.

I learn all things the hard way and am finally in a place to thank God for this.

I am a sinner but that doesn’t define me.

My journey is part of my purpose. I am created to learn, and then share with you.

I choose to be open with you, not because I like to put it all out there, but because I am a leader.

An influencer.  A fellow sojourner humbled enough by life to care deeply about you.

I didn’t choose this, but I see my path clearly.

I can be messy, raw, unrefined and even ugly.

These struggles have taught me to rely on God, instead of running from Him, I now run to Him.

He makes me beautiful.

Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame— Psalm 34:5

Is it possible to let go of guilt?

So please:

Don’t say I inspire you, yet fail to tackle your own challenge.

Don’t let my words and transparency be wasted.

I take problems to Him, and then grab them back.

He empties me of toxicity and trash; I often fill it back up with new garbage.

Yet, I’m not the sum of past regrets, not of tomorrow’s choices. 

If you would like to download a copy of the graphic  above for your own personal use, click here

How do I release myself from guilt?

As long as we keep my eye on the cross- the man on it–  hope remains.

There is no magic in the beams of wood, bound together into our modern remembrances.

It’s the flesh and blood man who loves us.

Friend to sinners, truly.

He is our friend, not afraid or at all unwilling to walk beside us.

His Holy Spirit intercedes for us, every second of our lives.

There is nothing you have done or will do that will separate you.

But you must come to Him. He has already come for you, and beckons with never-ending love.

Once I had an intimate conversation with a loved one. He asked me why it was so easy for me to have faith; he struggled with being unable to prove God’s existence.

I didn’t have a good answer, it just is.

Now I know- it is the deepest relationship I have ever known.

Not just me worshiping the King, but Jesus telling me I am adored by him.

Do feelings of guilt ever go away?

Safe to share my secrets.

Safe to know I will mess up again and it’s not the end.

Safe to dream big and wait in expectation.

Safe to take chances and be caught if I fall.

Safe from the lies I believed.

Safe to shout with joy about my Jesus!

He doesn’t need my defense or meager explanations. He is available to those who seek. Always.

Saved and safe, even when I mess up

I am safe from the enemy. He will attack until the end of my days, but he’ll never steal me away.

Safe to be vulnerable and trusting.

I was chained to a false view of myself and my circumstance, nearly crushed.

Now I am free.

I still make mistakes, my heart sins against my family, strangers, even you. Resentment and judgment flow to easily back into my heart.

But this is the important part. I am quick to recognize, an urgent need to call out to God to change me. And he does. And will for you.

He is real- He’ll show you, if you ask and listen.

Galatians 5:1–“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Past sin doesn’t define us when we let go of guilt

I used to be insulted when people would say “Your God is just a crutch for weak-minded people.

Oh yes, now I see the truth in those words.

He is our crutch, our ever-present support to lean on when we are weak. What a gift.

So why do I risk sharing this with you today? Because every joy I know, every change of my heart, the peace which propels me to trust and step out in faith- it is offered to you.

It can’t be earned. There is no formula.  My Jesus is your Jesus. Your friend, waiting.

All you have to do is express yourself, your sorrow, and your regrets. Ask Him to forgive and help you. Your past does not define you.

Invite Him to live within you. You have everything to gain.

A Christian is a child of God still sometimes sins

If you are new to faith, don’t worry bout the lingo, the fancy expressions of repentance

God hears you, speaks YOUR language, understands your slang, your dialect and knows more about you than you ever will comprehend.  Ask today. Don’t wait, because we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.

Nothing is more important than taking a step of courage and sharing your faith. We don’t pick and choose who gets to know, if we have it, we must share it.

You can find a simple sinner’s prayer here…

Resources for letting go of guilt:

• Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That’s Beautiful Again 
• Starting Over: Your Life Beyond Regrets
• This Beautiful Truth
• What Women Should Know About Letting It Go: Breaking Free from the Power of Guilt, Discouragement, and Defeat
• Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It’s Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind
• Breathing Room: Letting Go So You Can Fully Live
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