How To Give Thanks When You Feel Guilty Of God’s Blessings
Have you ever been in a place where you feel guilty of God’s blessings?
You are thankful for the favor, but you can’t shake off the feeling that you are undeserving. You believe someone else should have been in your place, not you.
The bad news about this is that you cannot fully enjoy God’s blessing if you are guilty in the first place.
On the flip side, the spirit of guilt is not born of God. It’s Satan’s way of trying to steal the joy that comes with God’s blessing. God has promised that his blessings are not accompanied by guilt. Instead, when God blesses us, it should be a joyous occasion worthy of all praise and celebration. (Proverbs 10:22)
A few days ago, I came across a story in 2nd Samuel, Chapter 7. It’s the story of David. He is king already, successful in battles, and even a father to many. He is loved, and God has been walking with him at every stage. His blessings are numerous- more than most Kings in Israel ever experienced.
On top of that, God adds another blessing. David’s son, Solomon, will build a dwelling place for God(what an honor it must have been!). Furthermore, God promises to walk with David forever, and his steadfast love would never leave him.
Instead of being all guilty about the many blessings God has bestowed him, David goes ahead to praise God and be thankful. There’s no guilt, but only joy from David when he learns what God has planned for his life. Here is how to give thanks like David and not feel guilty about your blessings.
David recognizes that he does not deserve the blessings.
Even knowing this, it does not put him in a guilty stupor. He doesn’t try to convince God how unfit he is, his past sins, or other people who still haven’t gotten their blessing. Instead, he exalts God and recognizes it for what it is: Grace and God’s infinite goodness.
2nd Samuel 7:18
Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!
He acknowledges God’s greatness, compared to his mere humanity
David knows that in comparison to God, he is just but a mere human, although highly favored among human beings and Kings. He acknowledges God as a great Lord. He admits that there is none like God and understands that God is the true redeemer. Without him, all human beings are void. David understands that God is in authority and blesses whomever he pleases.
He is confident in the fact that God knows him by name
Later on in the chapter, David talks about how God knows him. His confidence in God gives him the means not to be guilty about his blessings. He knows that God knows the state of his heart, but the Almighty still chooses to bless him anyway.
A lesson for us:
God created us. God knows every part of who we are. He knows our hearts, and he needs no one to testify on our accounts. That said, he chooses to bless us. It’s not because we are good or deserving it’s because he loves us, with a love that can no one can ever replicate. So rest easy sister, God choose to bless you because he loves you.
Here are 4 steps to free yourself from guilt after God blesses you
1) Recognize satan’s deception
As I mentioned earlier, this type of guilt is not from God. It is a deception by Satan trying to make unclean what God has called clean.
2) Pray and rebuke the deception
There’s only one way to hide oneself from Satan’s deception: Prayer. Below in this post, I have provided four scriptures you can pray with when rebuking the feelings of guilt after a blessing.
3) Carry the blessing forward
Every day, there is someone who can benefit from your help. After receiving a blessing from God, it’s a good idea to be a blessing to another person.
4) Testify
If you’re shy like me, a testimony before your 500 packed church can be daunting. However, it doesn’t always have to be in front of so many people. Share the testimony with family, friends, or on your social media profile.
Here are a few verses to help you through when you feel guilty of God’s blessing.
4 scriptures for when you feel guilty about your blessings
Proverbs 10:22: There is no sorrow in God’s blessings
The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Romans 5:8: He loves you, so he blesses you
But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Philippians 4:7: In his blessings, you have peace
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 16:20: Put your trust in the giver, not the blessing
God has a store full of blessings, for those willing to search him
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
I was feeling guilt over the blessings I’ve been receiving from God. For granting me a better job that pushes me out of my comfort zone, for helping me meet my goals and succeed at the position. For life and saving me out of some trouble, for protecting me etc. I’ve been dealing with imposter syndrome as a result and the devil constantly telling me I’m not deserving of this and if it weren’t for God I wouldn’t have this job or be doing as well as i am. Even with that it still feels like I’m not good enough and others might have been more deserving. I’m glad I found your article, I was searching for someone that understood what I was going through and even if you don’t, your article helped me and provided exactly the right scriptures I needed to shake this feeling. I’m glad God lead you to write this in 2021 for people in the future like myself that are struggling. The devil will do anything to take the joy from your blessing and until you said it it didn’t occur to me that that’s what was happening here with me.
Hey Mishie,
You are deserving of every good and perfect gift from God.
I’m so glad that my article was of help somehow.
PS: just so you know, your comments have been a big part that’s inspiring me to rekindle my faith and fire for Christ.
This was a true blessing for me to read this because I was sick to my stomach and feeling unworthy of God’s grace and blessings. I recently retired from my job. Bills were piling up and God has made it where I received more money retired than working. My back, both knees and several medical conditions kept me from working. But after God’s blessings I felt unworthy and couldn’t understand why I should be so fortunate. After reading this scripture I feel a since of relief and exeptance in my life. Thank you for your words of wisdom. May God bless you 🙏.
It makes me so happy to hear that this blog was a blessing to you, Riley. My only prayer is for God to grant me more wisdom to encourage the Christian community.
When God proclaims a blessing over your life, He won’t rest till it’s accomplished:
Isaiah 55:11 NKJV
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
PS: just so you know, your comments have been a big part that’s inspiring me to rekindle my faith and fire for Christ.
This article is a gem and thank you for letting the Holy Spirit lead you to write this. I am in process of purchasing my 1st home, something my daughter and I prayed for and God gracefully answered. But in the process, I started feeling dread of I made a mistake. Other friends and family who need to buy a home more than me should be getting this right now, not me. I am doing it before an older sibling and the 1st home I’m getting is really nice that I feel it’s too big and too nice for us now. We don’t deserve this much blessing and I feel we will make others depressed or resentful of why they aren’t being blessed in the same manner. I sometimes want others to get blessed before me so we can all celebrate by the time my blessings come, but God favors me and I’m not sure I always understand his timing and others situations. Im going off on a tangent, but thank you for this article. It’s giving a moment of peace in a stressful time.
God has declared it your season now T.
With time, God shall also make it possible for your siblings. The most important thing is that you’re loving them and praying for them persistently. And when it comes to it, showing up for them when they need it.
Thanks for your comments.
PS: just so you know, your comments have been a big part that’s inspiring me to rekindle my faith and fire for Christ.
I would just like to thank you for this message from God. You are truly special in the way you explain.
I have been feeling all kinds of guilt, but mom guilt and guilt from even being in my position where, although it isn’t anywhere near where I am hoping to go, I am able to sustain a great environment for my family and I. I just would like to use this opportunity to testify about how much God has unveiled knowledgeable things to me to be able to come this far in life at such a young age. With so many people in horrible situations around me and multiple deaths its hard to praise his name because I fear they will judge me or think I am bragging. Jesus has brought me through so many situations and I needed to thank him. Thank you as well for your message.
Thank you for your obedience in writing this message from your heart.
I was able to resonate with the entire post. I will be actively working through the tips & tricks the Holy Spirit provided in order to overcome the guilt of receiving God’s blessing. I’m looking forward to the joy I’ll feel once I do!
Blessings.