From:
Date: February 28, 2019
Subject: It's February 28; Good Morning Union
“If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Guilt is one of the most crippling emotional conditions that exists. It is NOT a genetically predisposed mental condition. It’s something we have almost total control over. It leads to the #1 disorder among young adults- depression, which leads to all kinds of other more severe life challenges.
Clinical depression IS a mental disorder that is created by a chemical imbalance in our brains. If you are hurting with depression see someone about it. There is help!
I’m not talking about clinical depression; I’m talking about guilt and its psychological and spiritual affect. It’s the result of making poor choices AND the conviction of God’s Spirit to help lead us on a path that is less self-destructive. It’s about choice; my choice; I decide how much guilt I want to carry around.
My first solution to guilt is to not obtain it in the first place by making wise choices in life. My second solution, because the first one I fail at some times, is my verse for today. When I feel convicted, which is my term for the short-term guilt God brings into my life to help me move from poor choices, I have a choice- keep the guilt that comes from the conviction or – “Confess my sins” SO THAT He can be “faithful and just to forgive my sins.” Forgiveness is a major cure for guilt! Forgive myself; forgive others; it’s a consistent theme in the Bible because God wants us free from guilt- both through wise choices AND His forgiveness.
And He adds a bonus in my verse for today. He will also, “cleanse me from ALL unrighteousness.” I confess, as the solution to guilt and its cousin depression, and He give me both forgiveness and cleansing. It’s my call; I get to choose; keep the guilt or confess and enjoy forgiveness and cleansing. My choice will make all the difference in the world.
Have a great day choosing confession over guilt,
Pastor Rich
Quote for the day: “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” John F Kennedy
We made it through February and to Spring Break! March into the next month with a clean slate by taking some time to write down something or someone you would like to forgive. Perhaps you simply need to forgive yourself for a mistake. Whatever it is, be honest with yourself and with those involved.
Submit a photo of your paper unless you feel uncomfortable doing so, any photo will be accepted for the challenge.
https://goo.gl/forms/