Joyful Freedom from Guilt, Shame, and Regret

My prayer is that you will experience joy this Christmas. But that’s not always easy, is it? In many cases you are about to spend time with estranged family members. Times together may be awkward.  Conversations may be difficult. What should be a joyous time is one you may instead dread.

In his quest to know why some people are successful and others are not, Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich” was challenged by Andrew Carnegie, the richest man in the world at the time, to interview every successful person he could find to answer this question of success. After extensive interviews over many years, Hill determined the answers described in his books. When interviewed and asked what caused others to be unsuccessful, Hill replied “Guilt, shame, and regret.”

We all carry these three at some level, don’t we? We are humans. We have failed. We have done things we feel guilty about, are even ashamed of, and often deeply regret. Maybe we were young and careless with our actions or words. Maybe life circumstances were hard and we were unaware of hurting another in our own pain. Maybe we were simply wrong.

In a strange way, Christmas is a celebration of freedom from all of these painful, debilitating emotions. Jesus came to set us free from our own pain and suffering. He literally paid the price for the sins committed unintentionally and intentionally, (defined as sins of omission and commission) by dying on the cross in our place. He paid the penalty for our sin. And he rose again from the grave that we might live fully in the new life free of both sin and its consequences of guilt, shame, and regret.

John tells us, “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose] (1 John 1:9 Amplified).

He will continually cleanse us from anything that is not consistent with God’s desires and character because we belong to Jesus, if we confess our sins. And if the God of the Universe forgives you, who are you to refuse to forgive yourself?

That’s really the issue, isn’t it? We confess our sins to Jesus, receive His forgiveness then refuse to forgive ourselves. In a strange way, it’s really pride and arrogance that we think we are somehow better than God and should continue to be punished and relentlessly held accountable for our sin when He paid the ultimate sacrifice. He died that our sin would be removed forever. But we refuse  to let go.      

Before you approach the next awkward family gathering or difficult holiday experience, stop. Take time to sit quietly with Jesus and confess the failures plaguing you with shame, guilt, and regret. Then choose to willfully and completely receive the forgiveness Jesus proclaims. This will free you to respond objectively rather than defensively and enable you to share love rather than frustration or anger. Jesus promises,

“And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin]” (John 8:32 Amp).

Remember, as long as you are right with God you have no reason to feel guilt, shame and regret. You are forgiven and each day you are given the opportunity to start fresh, to live “Your Refreshed Life” of abundance Jesus promises you when he said, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (John 10:10).

I will be praying for you, and myself as well my friend, that we look to Jesus each time we are tempted to experience shame, guilt, and regret this Christmas season. Let’s pray to experience that forgiven freedom that is ours so we can share Jesus’ smile, forgiveness, and supernatural love with every person we meet…the love so desperately needed in our broken and sin-filled world. May we reflect Jesus’ light and love this Christmas!