Symptoms of guilt

Wash me completely of my fault and cleanse me of my sin. Psalm 51:4

Guilt is an important word among psychoanalysts, psychiatrists and ministers. The dictionary qualifies as guilt "the act or the state of having committed a fault or to have committed a crime". The symptoms of guilt are many, but the root cause is one.

We have broken the moral law of the universe as expressed in the Ten Commandments and the sermon on the mountain. So we have a feeling of guilt.

This guilt is at the origin of various psychological problems, such as insecurity, tensions, the thirst for approval, the struggles to be recognized. Some psychiatrists point out that a sense of guilt is as necessary as a sense of pain. We need both to prevent us from hurting ourselves.

Prayer for the day

Your Holy Spirit touches my heart and makes me aware of my guilt. Forgive me, Lord.

Billy Graham