Shame & Guilt

As I minister to people, I realize there are many who can't get past their failures. At some point they wondered from the path God had set before them and now guilt and shame consumes their thoughts, and they feel they are too corrupt to ever face Him again. The enemy keeps reminding them of their failures and unfortunately, they remain stuck in a cycle that keeps them from their destiny.  

When God formed you, He knew there would be days you would fail. He knew it when He chose David, Moses, Peter, Adam, Abraham, Samson, Jacob....the list goes on and on. God doesn't just choose those who are perfect, if that were true, who would He use? What He is looking for is a broken vessel who will admit their failures, repent, and chase after God with all their heart. A people who aren't trapped by their weaknesses but amazed and empowered by His strength. 

So, you may have messed up, but don't let that cause a chasm between you and the Lord. Let it catapult you into His presence, repentant, fully surrendered, arms wide open, tears flowing and a heart of worship. Seek Him! He's not waiting to punish you, He desires to embrace, heal, and make you new. He LOVES you just the way you are while He's transforming you into His image, the image of purity and holiness. Guilt won't take you there, but repentance, studying His Word and your desperate pursuit of Christ will! Your past failures do not disqualify you but remaining a prisoner to them will. 

James 4:7-10 (KJV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Mark 2:16-17 (KJV) And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 15:1-7 (KJV) Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.