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Here are some examples of false guilt:
My boss said, “You don’t have that report finished yet?” I feel guilty, but I haven’t had time to breath. My boss keeps interrupting me with other priorities, then doesn’t understand why everything doesn’t get done on time!
False guilt happens when we believe that we must meet everyone’s expectations, regardless of how unreasonable they may be. Often it is our own expectations of ourselves.
A lot of false guilt comes from our pasts, such as this one:
Before I became a Christian, I had an abortion, which I now deeply regret.
This kind of false guilt requires much prayer, support from fellow-believers and a constant reminder that God’s forgiveness is complete, he remembers it against us no more, and we are no longer condemned.
Another area of false guilt falls into the category of “if only,” similar to this one:
My father died before becoming a believer. If only I had talked to him more, he might have accepted Christ.
The first step we need to take to be free from false guilt is to recognize it for what it is. It is a burden too heavy for us to bear, and once we call it by its name—false guilt—then we need to take a stand against it, through the blood of Jesus Christ, claiming the victory he can give us, and replacing those wrong thoughts with thoughts of Jesus and praise to God.
[Mary has written a book on this topic and it’s on sale this month. Click here for more information about Why Do I Always Feel Guilty?]