Sometimes in a moment of weakness, we give in to temptation and then find ourselves with a heavy heart, perhaps even weighed down with guilt.
We tend to rethink the distasteful period of the temptation, knowing that our actions would probably be entirely different, if given the opportunity to relive the situation.
Nevertheless, the deed has been done and we are left with a burden of guilt, which, even with time doesn’t seem to want to go away.
We can try hiding it or denying it, or even attempt to write it off lightly to ourselves. However, to really solve the problem and remove the guilt that clouds our mind, we need to be remorseful and somehow find the freedom that comes from forgiveness.
If we have hurt someone, we must find a way of making amends to them. Let us humbly confess our wrongdoing to our God who has suffered and died for us and wants only to love us. Our guilt can then dissipate and be replaced with the freedom, peace and joy that comes with forgiveness.
Being human, means we make mistakes, we have to accept that. However, I’m sure the efforts we make to keep on the straight and narrow will be to our long-term advantage, particularly if, in the process, we can rid ourselves of any guilt that might be weighing us down and preventing us from being the person we were created to be.
I’m Peter Mack and that’s faith.