God's Peace for When You Feel Guilty

It’s always tough to sleep when feeling guilty, isn’t it? The snide remark during the meeting, the way you snapped at your mom on the phone, the glare you bestowed on your spouse, the frustration that spilled out when the kids asked one too many questions. You may have felt a moment of relief for a second, but now, as you’re trying to fall asleep, you feel a tremendous amount of guilt.

Even though your kids, parents, spouse, coworker, or anyone else you offended today might be sleeping at this hour, the Lord is not sleeping. He is waiting for you to ask for forgiveness — not just because He’s a perfect God, but also because it will make you feel so much better. Asking for forgiveness acknowledges that you were wrong and restores brokenness in relationships. Grace is heaped upon your head and mercy is poured on your feet as the Lord washes you clean with His own forgiveness.

That forgiveness comes from the blood He shed on the cross; it was not free — it cost Him His own life — but He gives it over and over, willingly and generously.

If you’re having a hard time coming to terms with your actions today, humble yourself and seek the Lord.

He is ready and willing to hear you. He is able to forgive you.

He will give you strength for a new day filled with new mercies and new grace.

As you seek God’s face, ask Him to give you words to right the situation tomorrow. It doesn’t need to be anything elaborate or eloquent — just come before that person with humility of heart. Two simple words — I’m sorry — will cleanse you of the burden of guilt you are carrying.

Now, with the Lord’s full forgiveness and a newfound humility, you can go to sleep tonight being filled with peace instead of regret. Guilt no longer holds its power over you tonight; let your body sink into your mattress with a renewed feeling of joy and the liberty of a clean conscience.

You can fall asleep with a smile on your face and a sweet song in your heart, for the Lord has forgiven you of your transgressions — He has freed you of your sin.

Go and sleep now in peace, beloved. Your sins have been forgiven.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. — Psalm 103:12

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9

Prayer

Forgive me, Lord. I have sinned today and need to ask for Your forgiveness. Please take away my guilt and wipe my slate clean with the blood of Jesus Christ, of which I am so unworthy. I am a sinner in need of my Savior.

Blessing

May you experience the quick forgiveness of the Lord and bestow His generosity on others as you go about your day tomorrow. May you find strength to be slow to anger — and when you find yourself needing forgiveness, may you ask for it freely, and may it be given to you freely.

Praise

Thank You for removing my sins from me, O Lord, and for no longer remembering them. It is a tremendous blessing to have Your forgiveness and grace, heavenly Father. I praise You; You are quick to forgive, slow to anger, and rich in love.

Excerpted with permission from God’s Peace for When You Can’t Sleep, copyright Thomas Nelson.

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Your Turn

Do you spend middle of the night hours clobbered by guilt over what you’ve said or done? Do those moments replay in your head? What if we confessed our sins and mistakes to God and trusted in His unrelenting forgiveness and set aside that guilt knowing that Jesus has already covered it? Come join the conversation on our blog. We want to hear from you about letting go of guilt and getting some sleep! ~ Devotionals Daily