Feeling Guilt

Question:



I recently did something that I knew was wrong in my heart but I couldn't live up to it. My parents found out and they took a lot of privelages away from me. I usually don't do things that get me into trouble and the guilt is eating away at me. I even feel like God won't forgive me, even though everywhere they tell me he always does. How do I earn my parents trust back as soon as possible?




Answer:



What you’re feeling right now is the sense of guilt. As believers, there’s a battle inside ourselves with our flesh and the Spirit of God. Whenever we mess up the flesh wants us to feel guilty and tells us that we don’t’ deserve to be better. It’s almost like our flesh wants to feel bad for a while to pay for what we did. That condemning is not coming from God. God promises us no condemnation in Romans 8:1. Now there are consequences for the choices we make, but when we confess them to God He forgives us immediately and restores fellowship with Him. You can find that promise in 1 John 1:9. You don’t have to wait to feel better before going to God. It sounds like you are feeling the consequences of messing up and you realize the seriousness of what you did. Confess your mistake to the Lord, trust that His promise is true and move forward. There are different consequences to different decisions you make. In order to keep from going that road again you need to set up barriers and safety nets to keep that from happening again.


The thing about trust is that it is not simply bought like you’d buy a candy bar. It’s something that is earned, and built over time. Trust is of great value and takes much investing in to build. Let the discipline take its course. It is part of the consequence of the decision you made and it would be best to accept it. Your parents aren’t going to hold this against you forever. They were your age at one time and they know what it is to mess up. You won’t be disciplined forever and you’ll get those privileges again. Trust is built when you handle well the tasks that are given to you and you prove yourself to be trustworthy. When your parents see you handling your tasks well, they will give you more responsibility which means more freedom to act in that. So be responsible with what you have today and you will build that trust.


Don't forget, if you have a question you can send it to me at asktheyouthpastor@xtrlive.com plus you can talk to us tonight at www.studenthopeline.com.