Letting go of guilt: I am a sinner, but that doesn’t define me
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.
Ephesians 2:8-9–God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
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.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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.
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
- Disclosure: I only recommend products I do/would use myself. These affiliate links add NO additional cost to you, and may earn me a tiny commission to help support this blog. Read full privacy policy here.
Rock Solid Friend.
Thank you for being real and transparent.
Christa,
Yes, and when we know him, we have to share HIm. That was his plan. Loved it.
Well, you nailed it in so many ways—if ever in this life I stop thinking I am a sinner, then I will no longer need a Savior, then I will be lost indeed. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ except my own pride and self-sufficiency. And there is no special secret church talk required, just coming to the cross is all.
Here’s an Amen. Amen!
Christa, my heart is pounding hard for the amazing truth of these words!!! I am FREE! Praise God. I’m free. 🙂
Well said!! What a beautiful mess you are! Thank you for stepping out and speaking Truth! No sin does not define you, Jesus does!
Truth, my friend! Thank you for sharing it. Thank you for living it.
Transparent and inspiring, Christa!
Do you know the true meaning of “sin?” I “know” how it is used today, especially in church, but do you know where it comes from? Just a little etimology!
It comes from the word “Amartia” which Aristotle coined two and a half centuries ago. It means to “miss the mark” just as you shoot an arrow and you miss the center. In other words, according to Aristotle, amartia (sin) is not doing something “bad” but not doing something “good.”
I am disciplined and moral enough not to do “bad” things. I often miss the mark though by not doing good enough. From that perspective, I am a “sinner.”
Jesus’ Love and Light upon all of us!
Jesus love me, this I know! Thanks Christa.
Yes, you have paid a price for what you are sharing… I appreciate your honesty, and your perspective. It tells me I have hope. Thank you….
You are welcome Jocelyne, thanks for taking a few minutes to share
Oh my goodness I LOVE THIS!!!! So many beautiful words and such good truth!!!
I am so glad it connected with you! Be blessed, it is so important for us to learn to separate the two. I am still always learning that myself…