Question: if your unresolved guilt manifested itself in tattoos, how marked up would you be? What images would you see in the mirror? The face of someone you hurt? The amount of money you squandered? All the could'ves and should'ves. "I could've been a better mom." "I should've paid better attention." 

Dig around in the basement of our souls, and what do we find? Wasted years. Perversions. Destructive diversions. Anger at parents or exes. Selfishness. Arrogance.

Is guilt having its way with you? If so, consider this promise: "no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow" 

God specializes in guilt removal. He can do what no one else can: extract every last mark from your soul. 

Understand: guilt is God's idea. He uses it the way highway engineers use rumble strips. When we swerve off track, they call us back. Guilt does the same. Guilt alerts us to the discrepancies between what we are and what God desires. It stirs repentance and renewal. In appropriate doses, guilt is a blessing. 

Extract from Max Lucado's Before Amen. 

Question: if your unresolved guilt manifested itself in tattoos, how marked up would you be? What images would you see in the mirror? The face of someone you hurt? The amount of money you squandered? All the could'ves and should'ves. "I could've been a better mom." "I should've paid better attention." 

Dig around in the basement of our souls, and what do we find? Wasted years. Perversions. Destructive diversions. Anger at parents or exes. Selfishness. Arrogance.

Is guilt having its way with you? If so, consider this promise: "no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow" 

God specializes in guilt removal. He can do what no one else can: extract every last mark from your soul. 

Understand: guilt is God's idea. He uses it the way highway engineers use rumble strips. When we swerve off track, they call us back. Guilt does the same. Guilt alerts us to the discrepancies between what we are and what God desires. It stirs repentance and renewal. In appropriate doses, guilt is a blessing. 

Extract from Max Lucado's Before Amen.