While it’s easy to cast blame on others, dealing with our own misdeeds can really trip us up. Instinctively, we know guilt is toxic to us.
We have so many ways to evade feeling guilty – excuses and rationales to make us believe “there’s nothing to feel guilty about.” Still, the psychological energy needed to support our self-justification or our outright denial of wrongdoing cripples the soul.
The cycle of remorse and reprieve stands out as a pretty clever human contrivance for driving guilt away. I can admit I’ve done something wrong, feel bad about it – maybe even apologize – and then feel so good about myself for going through the process that I allow myself to repeat it. Sometimes people mistake this for a teaching of Christianity.
Instead, the remedy God offers us is both harsher and simpler.
This divine assessment boils down the problem:
1) Wrong cannot be denied; it must be accounted for.
2) Humans can’t cover the cost of its damage.
The solution – forgiveness – goes against all human logic; we receive mercy rather than justice.
Let’s be clear: God’s forgiveness is no “Get Out Of Jail Free” card. Only rarely does the divine pardon remove us from the consequences of our actions.
Instead, forgiveness only comes when we swallow the truth of our faults and taste the venom of guilt. After that bitter draught, we realize our dire need for the only antidote – grace that we in no way have earned, but we’re goners without.
Lent reminds us of our need to cancel the guilt trip – both against others as well as ourselves – and embark on a more rigorous but rewarding journey. Rather than trying to find our own way in the fog of blame, denial and temporary remorse, we can follow the One who wants to lead us to healing.
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