TODAY’S SCRIPTURE 2 Corinthians 7:5-13

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 40 million people in the United States suffer from chronic long-term sleep disorders each year and an additional 20 million people experience occasional sleep problems. There are more than 70 different sleep disorders, which are generally classified into one of three categories: lack of sleep (e.g., insomnia), disturbed sleep (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea), and excessive sleep (e.g., narcolepsy). One doctor said, “Sufficient sleep is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”

Guilt is the overwhelming cause of many of our hurts, both psychological and physical. Truth be told, there’s something that exists in our culture today that believes anything difficult must be avoided at all costs. Sleepless nights, mental anguish, or disabled days because of guilt are not God’s desired goal for His children. But guilt is good if we allow it to lead us to our God’s greatness. A broken heart because of sin is better than a heart bent on ignoring sin. A heart burdened carrying the regret of sin is better than a heart blinded from the continuance of sin. Our brokenness and our burdens can be a blessing if we embrace the forgiveness of our God.

Ironically, we can spend more energy trying to move away from our guilt, cover our guilt, avoid our guilt, and deny our guilt than if we actually listened to our guilt and the message it brings. Guilt for sin, past wrongs, and poor choices is a message that begs the heart to consider a better way. Guilt that leads us back to our God is worth listening to. It’s the kind of sorrow or grief (2 Corinthians 7:10) that leads to salvation. That’s the kind of good that leads to something greater: our God.

Today, I will…remind myself that guilt is given in order to reach closer in my relationship with God and doing His will. If there is sin and unresolved guilt in my life with a spouse, parent, child, or brother or sister in Christ, I will seek out his or her forgiveness and surrender my guilt to God’s way.