Guilt.

We've all felt it.

We've all probably deserved to feel it from time to time.

But if we have given our lives to Christ, we know deep down that we have been given the freedom to live "guilt free."

And yet, many Christians including myself, live with a sense of guilt.

Maybe it's an ongoing bad decision, sin, attitude, or personality trait.

Or maybe it's a past mistake that still haunts us.

Whatever it is, the nagging feeling of guilt proves to be powerful and relentless.

I looked up the psychological definition of guilt and found this definition:

"Guilt is an affective state in which one experiences conflict at having done something that one believes one should not have done (or conversely, having not done something one believes one should have done). It gives rise to a feeling which does not go away easily, driven by 'conscience.'" 

Knowing that guilt causes conflict within  our minds and yet knowing that God knew we would not have a "clear conscience" without His help, I came to the realization that the devil, once again, has taken something about our created being which can be used for good and twisted it so that it can become a source of pain.

Adam and Eve did not feel guilt until they sinned.  The devil brought this emotion out in us, but God had to put it there first.   So, the ultimate reason for guilt had to be a good and perfect one.

See, guilt can keep us from making mistakes twice.

It can cause us to be humbled and filled with remorse, changing us into the people God longs for us to be.

But guilt can also eat at us until we are miserable.

It can cause us to lose our confidence, our hope, our feeling of worth or value.

I did a little research and found some great tips on dealing with guilt:

1.  Recognize the kind of guilt you have and its purpose.

2.  Make amends or changes sooner than later.

3.  Accept you did something wrong, and move on.

4,  Learn from your behaviors.

5. Realize that perfection does not exist in anyone.

If you've lost a friend or family member, you may even suffer from what is called "Survivor's Guilt." 

You may find yourself asking, 'Why am I here and they are not?"

If you find yourself asking this question often, please seek help.

When God "knit you together in your mother's womb," He ordained the number of your days.

If someone you love has been taken from this earth before you feel it was time, remember this truth about them too.

God knit them together and numbered their days.

Adrienne's days were numbered to be only 45 short, sweet days.

Nick's days were numbered at around 4,560 short, sweet days.

Adrienne served a beautiful purpose in our family and in this world.  Nick did too.

Their lives are still making a difference.

None of us knows the number of days we have been given, but we do know this:

The Bible says, "Life is but a vapor."

Whether you live to be 15, 35, or 105, in the end your life will be a series of short, sweet days.

The question has to be this:

What are we doing to live these days for Him?

What are we doing to help us let go of our guilt and find freedom in Christ?

Yesterday, I felt a little bewildered.

Today, I feel empowered.

What has changed? 

Simply remembering these truths:

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

(Phil. 4:13)

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-        do not abandon the works of your hands."

(Psalm 138:8)

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.'"

1 John 4:4

And I believe that if these promises are true for me, then I can live knowing that they are true for everyone I love.

So I will pray them and claim them daily for my family and for all of you.

Thank you for praying for us.

Oh, I love you all so much and I am so thankful for the Hope of Heaven!!!