To me, guilt is not only a burden that is carried, it is actively oppressive. It attacks confidence and robs you of happiness. Most of all, it destroys ones sense of inner peace and serenity, replacing it with mental torment. You might think I'm talking about guilt over grave and massive mistakes, but for me guilt comes easily with small things - perhaps a side effect of being a perfectionist. Surely guilt has a positive role in helping us to recognize when we're doing something wrong, but what about guilt that goes beyond that, guilt that hinders you from doing what is right?
Recently, I've reflected on several verses of scripture that have helped me to face and overcome feelings of guilt. The first is Revelations 12:10-11: "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb." The accuser referenced in this scripture is Satan, and surely there is no better name for him than accuser. This scripture is significant to me because it helps me identify who the source of unhealthy guilt is, and from there it is easier to see where to go to find relief.
The next scripture comes from Enos in the Book of Mormon. Enos was the son of a prophet named Jacob, the spiritual leader of one of the main groups of people in the Book of Mormon (note, this is not Jacob from the Old Testament). I can only imagine what kind of life a young person would have as the child of a prophet. But regardless, Enos was hunting in the woods while pondering on his father's teachings about Christ. After investing some significant amount of time in prayer and energy in desire, he writes that he heard a voice which said, "Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away."
Like Enos, my experience has been that nothing relieves guilt and restores happiness like forgiveness. And for those times when guilt is not the result of sin, the presence of the Holy Spirit that comes by reaching for Christ has invariably brought the peace and serenity I need. Perhaps a struggle that you, like I, have had is when guilt comes from failing to meet what you feel God's expectations are. In those times it can be particularly difficult to turn to Him for relief because it seems as if He is the source. Those struggles have been some of the hardest, and I wish that I could give you an easy answer for coming through them, but I do not know one. What I do know though is that in every struggle that I refuse to turn away from him, somehow the relief comes. Not always quickly, not always easily, but without fail it does. And when it does, it is more powerful, greater in depth and peace than any struggle could ever be in hardship.
I agree with the words of Peter: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
