ARE YOU FEELING SEPARATED FROM THE LORD?

SCRIPTURE:
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.  
(Psalm 51:2)

MEDITATION:
It’s true isn’t it - when believers sin, they feel guilty.
So is guilt a good thing or a bad thing?
Our first response would be that it is a good thing, right?
It means that we love the Lord more than what we did.
As a result, we go to Him to confess, apologize and ask for His forgiveness.
Secondly, it is good because it helps us to keep from getting hurt.
It is similar to experiencing pain.
Pain and guilt both remind us of the consequences of doing the wrong thing.

Guilt is a prominent word among psychoanalysts, 
psychiatrists, and ministers too. 
The dictionary calls guilt 
“the act or state of having done a wrong or committed an offense.” 

The symptoms of guilt are many, but there is one root cause. 
We have broken the moral law of the universe, 
as expressed in the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. 
As a result, we feel guilty. 

Guilt can trigger a variety of psychological problems such as insecurity, 
tension, hunger for approval, struggles for recognition, etc. 
If we reverse the last statement, then if someone is insecure, 
has an inordinate amount of tension, strives for approval from others, 
or has a strong desire for recognition, 
then he or she might be experiencing an all-consuming guilt in their life.

ACTION:
Has guilt caused you to feel separated from the Lord?
As a result, have you been experiencing some psychological problems?
Do you feel worthless unless you receive approval from others?
Do you constantly strive to get recognition 
for things you have done, or just for who you are? 

Have you noticed that you often 
tell others about what you have done in order to receive recognition?
If you are honest with yourself, 
would you say that you have feelings of guilt?
If so, wouldn’t you like to find relief?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I realize that all my sins are ultimately against 
You. I come to You confessing my sins and asking You to forgive 
me and restore our relationship. Help me to honestly confess my sins 
specifically, and not just sum them up in one word called ‘sins’. I don’t 
want to disappoint You by the commission of sinful deeds, so I need 
You to help me resist the temptations that cross my path. There are 
temptations to do the wrong thing, but there are also the temptations 
to avoid obedience to Your commands (such as meeting with other 
believers to worship You). Help me to not be so arrogant that I decide 
for myself which of Your commands should be obeyed and justify 
those I choose not to obey. Thank You in advance for Your help in 
showing me how to avoid feelings of guilt that damage my relationship 
with You.”