Prayer is also the way God is able to help us feel the freedom of His forgiveness.
In Christ, we are a forgiven people. I know that, and yet, I can so relate to David's words when he says,
My guilt has overwhelmed me
like a burden too heavy to bear.
Does guilt ever get the best of you? It does me. What makes you feel guilty?
For me, guilt usually comes in the form of not "doing enough" as a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, and yes, even as a Christian.
Just when I think I am doing a good job in some of my roles, I catch myself neglecting others.
I am not so good at balancing it all. I know it all too well. And the more I nurture my faith, the more I realize just how imperfect I am.
Man, I so need Jesus in my life.
Do you ever feel this way?
And yet, I also know in my heart that guilt is not at all what God intended by sending Jesus into the world. God sent Jesus to show us what His unconditional love really looks like.
I have to remind myself that being a Christian isn't about the perfect balance or "doing enough," it's about being who God designed me to be- perfect imperfections and all.
It's by God's grace we are saved. That's it.
So when those feelings of guilt creep in, like they do sometimes, I can own them. They aren't something God expects me to solve with mind over matter.
Guilt is a big clue, at least for me, that it's time for me to spend more time with God relishing in His love and opening my heart to Him.
These words are a good place to start...
Lord, I wait for you;
you will answer, Lord my God.
And when I faithfully take time to do that I am reminded of God's purposeful role for me, moment to moment. And those moments are always full of God's grace.
It's by God's grace we are saved and our steps made firm.
A prayer for today-
Dear God,
Thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You for upholding me with Your hand.
I am guilty. I know it all too well and sometimes those feelings of not "doing enough" get the best of me. I admit that my guilt overwhelms me at times like a burden to heavy to bear.
I am especially struggling with feelings of guilt related to balancing my roles as _________________. Open my heart to the freedom I have in Christ.
Lord, I wait for You; you will answer, Lord, my God.
I delight in You. I pray You will make my steps firm.
In Your light, I see light. Help me trade in my own balancing act for Your perfect purpose and direction for my life.
And as I pray for _________________ today, uphold him/her/them in Your hand and bless him/her/them with Your unfailing love.
In the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen
Peace of Christ,
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