I have done some bad things. How can I get rid of this feeling of guilt?
In Psalm 32 we read of David’s thoughts after he was confronted with the sin of sleeping with another man’s wife, and then in an attempt to cover it up, having her husband killed.
David did not acknowledge his sin at first and the feeling of guilt… well, you will have to read it yourself.
When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me, my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Verses 3-4
Feelings of guilt can bring you to the brink of despair. It’s like a heavy invisible hand pushing down on you. There is no escaping it. Everywhere you turn it’s there. It’s always on your mind. The joy is gone.
Then God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David, and finally he acknowledged his sin.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord – and you forgave the guilt of my sin”. Verse 5
The feelings of guilt are in the process of leaving. Confessing ones sin is not just informing God of what you did, but agreeing with Him on how serious sin is. Repentance is a mindset of true sorrow for what sin you did. And only through confession and repentance can one receive the forgiveness of God and the joy of that forgiveness.
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Verses 1-2
David knows that God has forgiven him and that sin is no more. The guilt is gone because the sin is gone. If David did not believe that he was forgiven, he could not have written those words.
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing all you who are upright in heart! Verses 10-11
David is once again in a right relationship with God the Father and is enjoying “the Lord’s unfailing love”. He understands fully the nature of God, and of the love He desires to show him. David is guilt free because he has been forgiven by a loving God and that sin is no more.