Friday Fight 91 - A Punch to the Gut

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF91.

How often have we been driving down the road or just trying to relax, and suddenly we don't feel good about ourselves? Our mood changes slightly, and we realize thoughts of past sins are trying to creep in and also find a place to rest. We have asked God for forgiveness, yet we feel guilty about these things that keep resurfacing. How can we move forward and finally let go of our regrets?

A Punch to the Gut

We're never free from the gut punches of guilt or shame with repeated lies about what we lack. Times in our lives where circumstances were dictated by poor choices cause regret to emerge. We've all dealt with this, and for the most part, we did the best we knew at the time or what was needed to survive. That said, we still need to be set free of our sins rather than continually being manipulated and what feels like gasping for air. People feel guilt for different reasons but usually feel shame because they have done something that they know is wrong and sinful. While guilt is possible without shame, the reverse is not. Shame is not possible without guilt. Shame relates to self, and guilt refers to others.

So here we are in a new year, trying to hit the reset button like most, and along comes this punch to the gut. We start thinking about how we behaved or the dynamic of the circumstances and once again are covered in shame. Without realizing we begin to beat ourselves up, replay better choices in our minds, and rather than resetting, we feel regret. So, we ask for our sins to be forgiven for the 20th time. Sound familiar? It is not God who hasn't forgiven us; we are in disbelief of His power and likely haven't forgiven ourselves. Those who struggle with self-forgiveness should try to imagine life as an incredible story created by God, one that isn't finished. Shame stops that story from continuing and robs us of its beautiful continuation. However, we cannot reset or be free and move forward without redemption. I understand we are broken by what we have done to ourselves, others, and, most importantly, God. But we must lift these things to Christ and forgive ourselves. It is a new year and a new day; it is time to be thankful for where we are now and leave the past in the past.

Making us feel like we are lacking in multiple areas is Satan's game; he is called the slanderer for a good reason. Darkness hopes we will replay our past mistakes to shut us down in guilt and shame. Satan was humiliated and broken at the Cross, so now he works to humiliate and break us. The truth of any spiritual warfare is to focus solely on the healing power of God.

No more punches to the gut that leave us feeling worthless. Let's pray, offer praise, and spend time recognizing things we are thankful for;  the joy in our lives. Let go of the guilt and shame in humble repentance. Be generous in love, patience, and forgiveness; let His love define us rather than allow Satan's tricks to confine us. Let go of regret, and rejoice with me in the name of our Heavenly Father.

Pastor Shannon

New Life Calvert