Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Psalm 32:1-5 (NRSV)

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

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Reflect

Guilt is a heavy burden! It is laborious to carry it around. It weighs on the mind, body, and the soul. It drains our energy.

I work as a secretary for a Catholic church, so I have been exposed to many of the misconceptions other Christians have about the Catholic faith. One of those misconceptions is that when a Catholic confesses his or her sins to a priest, the priest forgives that person of the sins. It is really more like they confess to Jesus Christ, through the priest. They are then more readily able to receive the forgiveness that Jesus offers. Giving words to your sinful actions out loud holds healing power. It opens a path to the Savior.

As a protestant, I have never gone to a priest to make my confession, but I have confessed my wrongs to friends and family. Those words are healing and restorative. The oppressive weight that sin, and its resulting guilt, holds on us can make us physically, emotionally, and spiritually weak.

I have known people who have literally made themselves sick with worry and guilt. They let past sins ruin their lives and relationships. Opening up to a priest or pastor, if that helps you, or to a friend, or directly to Jesus Christ, is one way to lift that heavy burden and move your way past that road block to the freedom of an open road.

Take a moment to voice your confession to your Savior. Find a solitary spot where you can speak out loud. Take a burden that has been bothering you to the Lord. Tell God you are sorry. Hear Jesus’ voice say, “You are forgiven.” Feel the weight lift from your soul. Know the happiness that comes from being free of that old guilt. Rest in the peace that flows through your lightened soul.

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Pray

Lord of forgiveness, our sins entrap us and keep us from reaching out to you. Lighten our burdens. Strengthen our resolve to remain blameless. Help us to live in peace, knowing that just like our earthly parents love us in spite of our flaws, you love us no matter what we have done in our past. Free our spirits to love you more completely. Amen.

Go with God.