Today I’m honored to share my personal story of the effects of guilt in my life, and what happens when one dares to choose grace instead. The beginning of my story is below. If you’re struggling with guilt today, friend, I understand. I pray this encourages you and prompts you to choose grace instead.
The weight on my chest made it hard to breathe. I guess it had resided there for so long, it just became a part of me. Until the day it was too much to bear and I found myself in the hospital with a racing heart rate that would not slip back into its normal rhythm. This weight was not any old weight, though. Its name was scribbled on it in big, bold letters. GUILT.
Lying there in the hospital, I was scared.
Why is this happening? I’m too young for heart problems. It wasn’t until later I learned the negative effects of lingering guilt on our bodies. Guilt can wreak havoc on our nervous systems, it affects our digestive systems, it can increase blood pressure, and its effects on the cardiovascular system can be life-threatening.
No matter how much I tried to hide it or pretend it wasn’t there, guilt consumed my life. Here, my heart was displaying the effects of guilt’s stress placed upon my body. My cardiologist called it tachycardia. God called it a wake-up call.
It was time to be brave and face my guilt.
Dictionary.com defines guilt as “a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined.” We can experience guilt over many things. Do I call my parents enough? I yelled at my kids today. I should have made a different decision. Not to mention the guilt we feel for our past mistakes and sins.
Guilt can be healthy or unhealthy. The healthy kind corrects. The unhealthy kind condemns.
I’ve experienced both, and maybe you have, too. One helps us become better. One helps us grow.
And one helps us choose grace…
You will find the rest of my story at my friend Becky’s blog, in her Brave Women Series. I’m blessed to be a part of her space today. Please click here to continue reading.
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Thanks for sharing so vulnerably. I clicked over and read. Couldn’t successfully navigate comment section.
Oh, Julie. Thank you for being so open about this. I didn’t remember hearing you share your regrets about that day. However, my friend, I do remember seeing you bring your mom in her final years/months to Bible Study, watching you tenderly tend to her needs & getting her situated. You modeled Christ in caring for her needs ahead of your own responsibilities at that Bible Study. You placed HER ahead of tasks & responsibilities over and over. Each week. That made a big impression on me, and I have hoped to reflect your care for your mom in the way I spend time with my aging parents. I don’t want to think about a last day with them. But because of your sharing, I hope to remember that the power of Christ allows us to live for Him, without paralyzing guilt.
Thank you, Denise. Your words are a balm to my heart today. I remember those days feeling rushed and distracted. I don’t remember them how you remember them. So, I thank you for helping me recall truth. I pray Mom felt loved and cared for in the ways you mentioned. You are a wonderful daughter, and I’m thankful you still have your parents here with you. May God bless you in every moment with them. I’m also grateful we get to journey together in this life. Thank you again for your words of love and affirmation. Much love to you!
Thank you, Kim. I’m sorry the comment section didn’t work out so well. I’m glad you shared it here, thought. Hope your day is bright and beautiful!