If It Weren't for Guilt Would You Ever Take a Trip?
Posted: Thursday, July 02, 2009
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
As a parent, friend, employee, employer, woman, or human being, how many guilt trips do you think you take in a given week? Would one a day be accurate or much too low? Ann-Mary, a friend and former co-worker from the days when I sold proprietary drugs, is Catholic. She would always say, "Being Catholic and female, I was born to be guilty." This is not a putdown of Catholicism. Other Catholic relatives and friends have agreed with her.
Answering comments posted on one of my articles gave me the idea for this one. A friend, wife, mother and Christian talked about feeling guilty over something many of us have done which is not a sin. Because of compassion and loving kindness, it seems the norm to feel guilty over a slight misstep or display of weaknesses.
My friends, this is the work of the devil! A guilt trip is one of the worst kinds of trips we can take. It would probably be different if we never packed our baggage, pun intended, and took off but we do. When guilt surfaces, it is recommended that we acknowledge it, speak out against it, and dismiss it. If a trespass has been made, seek forgiveness, repent of it and stand. Guilt contradicts the Cross.
Guilt has a very unfair playmate, too which is worry. We worry about the feeling of guilt. All the while, we are being distracted from all that is right with our lives.
If you feel guilty about a slip of the tongue, next time, be slow to speak and quick to hear. If you feel guilty about lashing out in anger at someone, next time, be slow to wrath. If you feel guilty over something you did, don't do it again. Call it out, release it and be done with it!
Decide to take enjoyable trips. A guilt trip is no fun whatsoever and can be more costly than actually taking off to a resort. It robs us of our health, happiness and much needed energy. Even if we have something about which to feel guilty, get on with it!
We cannot enjoy sunshine under a cloud of guilt. We cannot see the stars twinkle if guilt is hovering overhead. We cannot smell the fragrance of a hot summer day if our nostrils are filled with the stench of guilt. Your loved ones do not get to enjoy the lovely person you are if you're hiding behind guilt.
The guilt trip you're on right now? God Understands (you). It's (your) Last Trip! Accept your shortcomings and decide to improve but don't take another guilt trip.
2009 by Avis Ward of AvisWard.com
________________________________
Writing is very therapeutic no matter what level you begin. Come to a place, a place where you belong. Join us at: /Register.asp. Registration is free and you'll get to meet members of the best Writers' Community on the web!
My friends, this is the work of the devil! A guilt trip is one of the worst kinds of trips we can take. It would probably be different if we never packed our baggage, pun intended, and took off but we do. When guilt surfaces, it is recommended that we acknowledge it, speak out against it, and dismiss it. If a trespass has been made, seek forgiveness, repent of it and stand. Guilt contradicts the Cross.
Guilt has a very unfair playmate, too which is worry. We worry about the feeling of guilt. All the while, we are being distracted from all that is right with our lives.
If you feel guilty about a slip of the tongue, next time, be slow to speak and quick to hear. If you feel guilty about lashing out in anger at someone, next time, be slow to wrath. If you feel guilty over something you did, don't do it again. Call it out, release it and be done with it!
Decide to take enjoyable trips. A guilt trip is no fun whatsoever and can be more costly than actually taking off to a resort. It robs us of our health, happiness and much needed energy. Even if we have something about which to feel guilty, get on with it!
We cannot enjoy sunshine under a cloud of guilt. We cannot see the stars twinkle if guilt is hovering overhead. We cannot smell the fragrance of a hot summer day if our nostrils are filled with the stench of guilt. Your loved ones do not get to enjoy the lovely person you are if you're hiding behind guilt.
The guilt trip you're on right now? God Understands (you). It's (your) Last Trip! Accept your shortcomings and decide to improve but don't take another guilt trip.
2009 by Avis Ward of AvisWard.com
________________________________
Writing is very therapeutic no matter what level you begin. Come to a place, a place where you belong. Join us at: /Register.asp. Registration is free and you'll get to meet members of the best Writers' Community on the web!
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Very well said. We may be guilty of sin, but we don't have to live with the guilt, for God has hung that guilt on the cross.This article should be an encouragement to many."We may be guilty of sin, but we don't have to live with the guilt, for God has hung that guilt on the cross." Very well said, as well. Thank you for reading and posting, David.
Hi Avis.Very well said, indeed. Now, do you have some advice about regret? :)Hugs,DianneHi Dianne,
Thank you for the comment and hug! About regret, regrettably . . . LOL
Hope you and Bernd are having a great weekend.
Hugs,
Avis
Amen and Amen - had to laugh at the title - but you drew me with a most encourageing message! I am sharing it with all my friends! Love ya! TSistah T, I laughed at the title when it popped in my head, too. I actually said, "Lord, you're so funny." And laughed louder. Thanks for reading this and sharing it with friends! I'm believing it will minister to any guilt-ridden conscious. Amen.
Love ya,
Sistah A
What a wonderful explaination of the true purpose of guilt- that is to bring to light a wrong that needs to be corrected and not an invitation to self-loathing.Where would we be without you? I shudder to think of it!Aw shucks, Ken! Thanks for that mind-blowing compliment!
Laura Trahan said in a comment to me recently, it's good when someone understands what you're trying to say and then is able to add to it even so much more. You said it perfectly in one sentence.
You were pondering in another comment what God possibly had for you next. Remain open to receive it and expect it to be something big. It's your time!
Amen to that Avis!I am not so guilty of guilt at the moment, but its ugly friend worry. As usual I read your excellent article right on time.Love, hugs and blessings,MichelleMichele, it blesses me to know or even think I may have helped someone when I write these type of articles. I know Who is responsible for its content and timeliness. Many times, He'll remind me to practice what I preach. Don't ya just love him? LOL
Thanks for being here. Sending blessings and hugs.
Much love,
Avis
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