Have you ever taken inventory of your problems? “Problems” as in those little pests that have you up at 4am tossing and turning in bed..
If I can be honest, the biggest battles I’ve had to fight thus far have all been self-imposed. I take a lie that comes wrapped in a thought, magnify it, and find myself engrossed in a mental battle that wasn’t even mine to fight to begin with.
I’m ashamed to admit this when I know there are so many REAL problems out there that I could be focusing my time and energy trying to resolve.
If you’re fed up with fighting imaginary battles I encourage you to read this post; however, here in this blog I want to focus specifically on a little pest called GUILT.
I don’t understand why it’s so hard for me to simply accept life’s blessings and quit overthinking.
EX:
You prayed for more down time in your schedule and now that you have it (Blessing) you feel like you need to take on more hours, sign up for another class, etc (Guilt)?
You prayed for more travel experiences and now that you’re living abroad (Blessing) you feel guilty that your parents are still stuck at home (Guilt).
You prayed for your finances to get you through the week into payday and now that your roommate’s decided to make you dinner for the past week (Blessing) you feel like you owe him/her something (Guilt)?
Instead of focusing on REJOICING in God’s blessing and sharing our testimony with others, we shrink back and let this self imposed guilt steal all the JOY that God intended for us to experience!
I am here to tell you that “Guilt” is not from God. It may come knocking at your door from time to time, but that doesn’t mean you have to entertain the little pest.
Instead, confess God’s truths which are:
- James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows”.
The blessing you’ve experienced was brought to you via a vessel God used to bestow HIS blessing. Be grateful to whomever/however it came, but remember the real praise belongs to God.
- Luke 8:39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him”-
If God came through for you, part of our responsibility is to share our stories with others so that they can witness His great power and love.
- Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
PEACE be with you He says, so stop analyzing the blessing and accept that God’s ways are not ours- your job is to Rejoice! Delight! Spread the Cheer! Be grateful!
- Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children”
As a father loves His child, God wants every good thing for us as His daughters. Therefore, this guilt that you are feeling is not from Him. Dismiss it quickly, and instead focus your energy on asking God to show you how you can pay the blessing forward- whether in words, actions, or deeds.
Best
Grace
