Let Go Of The Guilt
01/02/2006

By Pastor TC Brantley

Dealing with Guilt can be a hell of a weight to carry the rest of your life. I dare say all of us have things that we wish we could do over again. From raising our kids, divorce, family, church or social events, we all have regrets of our past. For those who don't have ANY regrets at all, I will see you in heaven. For the rest of us, we must learn to acknowledge the problem, evaluate it, and learn from it but most importantly CONFESS & FORGIVE YOURSELF.

I believe beyond the epidemic of obesity, drugs, and divorce, there is an underlining point that a lot of people in America may have very low self esteem issues that come from guilt. Believe it or not there are women who are over 40 that still deal with the tragedy of sexual abuse by relative or strangers, and continue to blame themselves. Guilt affects all of us in different ways. For some it's heart disease and for other it could be biting your nails. Guilt must be dealt with or it will deal with you.

For those who have had an abortion and are now dealing with the mental pain of your decision, I would say forgive yourself. I always liked Saint John 8. It tells us we can't throw stones because we all have issues that we are not proud about. For the husband who has committed adultery and has carried this guilt for so long; I give you strength my brother to finally tell the truth. I rather tell, than have my wife told by someone else. In reality this is the anchor for guilt. It's whether people will find out about my dumb or embarrassing decisions. 80% of the battle over guilt is living in the truth. Did you know guilt is a form of lying?

It's lying because unlike the generic lying, guilt is lying to yourself. You are hurt. You are sorry. You wish you could turn back the clock. All these things come with guilt. When you express the truth, guilt has no where to hide. Guilt is dark, lonely and defensive. If you can learn to come to the light and confess, guilt will loose its hold on you. Guilt's only diet is you. If you let it feed, it will finally kill you. I read that men die 6 years younger than women. Also our mortality rate is much higher than woman. Do I dare say the reason why is due to stress or unspoken guilt that remains in our lives?

Ira Hayes. If the name doesn't sound familiar look at the statue of the Iwo Jima and you will discover the first of four man that held up the flag on top of Mountain Suribachi was Ira Hayes. On February 23, 1945, he and five other men become famous for an American flag flying above Japanese territory. Ira Hayes was a Pima Indian and did not live long after the war. In fact he died January 24, 1955 at the age of 32 after a night of heavy drinking. Why, you may ask did he die so young? Guilt was the murderer in the first and second degree.

 
He felt Guilt in the first degree. Only five men in his platoon of 45 survived. This was another Private Ryan story to the point he had no sense of self worth. Of the six Flag Raisers, Mike Strank & Harlon Block died six days later. Franklin Sousley died 22 days later. It was the guilt of knowing why me and not them.

He felt Guilt in the second degree. History buffs will know that the famous Iwo Jima Flag raising moment was really the second act because Lieutenant Colonel Chandler W. Johnson, the Battalion commander, wanted a larger battle flag so that the men at the other end of the island could see it. Yes, in reality Ira and the five were the second group that day to raise the flag. In reality the first to raise the smaller flag was 40 men from the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, led by First Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier. In reality Ira had guilt because he was given credit that may have slanted the first group under Schrier, that had to go through enemy lines to get to the top. Speaking of that 40-man patrol, thirty-six were killed or wounded in later fighting on Iwo Jima.

My brothers and sisters what are you dealing with right now? The fact is guilt deals with your past, not with your future. Can I encourage you to look forward and let go of your past mistakes? All men and woman make mistakes, but it takes a special man and woman to not live in the valley of guilt. Out of the valley of guilt, climb to the mountain of redemption along the road of grace and mercy.

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