What Unresolved Guilt Might be Doing to You

“My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear” (Psalm 38:4)

If you could write a list of the things you wish you didn’t do—and have them erased forever—what would you list? That relationship, that night, that hurtful word?

We all have deep regrets that we desperately wish to undo. Even King David, the person God called “a man after My own heart”, was so burdened by his guilt that he said, “My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear.” In fact, in one of His journal entries to God (Psalm 38), he listed all of the things that the guilt was doing to him. See if you relate to any of them:

• His whole body was sick
• He was depressed and had no energy
• He had anxiety
• His relationships suffered
• He saw the future as bleak and always feared bad things happening

Do you feel like this? I know I have. David connected his emotional suffering with his unresolved guilt, and the Bible confirms this connection: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The death it refers to isn’t just physical: it’s emotional, spiritual, and relational. Imagine guilt as a fungus that creeps in, eating at everything until it is all decayed. That’s the wages of sin.

But God wants to clear out all of the fungus from your life and reverse its effects. Just like guilt has impacted your life in a negative way, being free of guilt will bring incredible life and joy to you. Here are some of the results of being guilt-free:

• Renewed joy for life
• Deep peace about the past, present, and future
• Hope for good things to come
• Ability to experience God’s love and love yourself and others

God has the antidote for guilt, and He wants to give it to you. This is how God described Himself: "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). He desperately wants you to be free of your guilt and shame—and experience the amazing life of love and peace He has for you. Next week we are going to talk all about this guilt antidote, but in the meantime, let’s meditate on the last words of David’s journal to God: But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done…Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior. Let’s pray this together this week.