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.
