It’s a heavily-dark room, filled with almost-palpable gloom. I have been trapped in this dungeon for donkey’s years with no ray of sun shining through. I long to reach out with my cries for help, but the voices in my head shut my mouth at every chance they get. Do I even have a right to seek help? Will I ever walk out of this prison?
My ever-present and committed family member, it’s such a joy to have you back in this circle of deep thoughts and reflections. I know you’re wondering what we’re up to this week after reading the few sentences in the first paragraph, but I’ll ask you to keep it calm, it’s not my intention to get you tensed. Right, let’s say our greetings first!
It’s the last Tuesday in June 2023, and I believe the month has been a good ride for you. Not to forget, we’re also drawing near the end of the first half of the year. I am grateful for how you’ve stayed with me for six solid months; reading, sending in comments, giving words of motivation, and the like. Here, have your gold medal!
It’s been six eventful months, but here you are still standing tall despite all odds. You’ve fought and won, there’s even a possibility of a loss at one time or the other. But do you know one reason for which I’m grateful? It’s the fact that you have refused to fall on your sword! Hey, soldier, keep going! The last two quarters are going to be better in every sense.
To that one person that has been wondering what’s up with today’s first paragraph, well, we can finally talk about it. You must have heard of different prisons spread across different parts of the country, one somewhat more notorious or dreadful than the other. It’s possible that you even name a few because they keep coming up during news hour or a prison break.
You know, those are all physical prisons. They are found in a specific location. However, has it ever occurred to you that there is a walking or mobile prison? No, don’t get shocked just yet! It exists, and it’s being carried around by whoever is trapped in there. I’m talking about THE PRISON OF GUILT.
Unlike the others, this is not a space you get to see with your naked eyes. Yet, it has such a hold on its occupant than the physical prisons does. Worse still, the person in there goes about looking just fine, yet he or she is dying on the inside.
Those expressions you read in the first paragraph came from someone who is currently having that burden of guilt and doesn’t seem to find a way out. If this describes you in any way, you have found a way out. And, to answer your question, you are walking out unharmed.
Many people go around being emotionally whipped by the consequences of their past actions or inactions. You might have even tried to break free from that feeling, but it keeps pricking open the wound that you have been trying so hard to heal.
The thoughts of how you should have behaved in a better way keep returning, and the emotions of regrets pour in over and again. You can barely keep your head up, you find yourself always taking a bow of shame or trying to hide from judgment. Dear one, it’s time to heal.
How long will this weapon of destruction make you downplay yourself like you don’t deserve to experience any good thing? When will it stop putting you on the edge, making you suspect other people like they are after you even when their intentions are good? When will you stop allowing great opportunities to pass you by instead of making good use of them?
Have you found yourself seeing every not-so-pleasant event as a punishment for your past offences? That’s guilt at work! It intends to keep you under its hold for a long time. But I join you to give a nay shout because it’s time to embrace every bundle of goodness that has your name written on it. Neither guilt nor fear will hold you back any longer.
The awe-filled and yet great news about this walking prison is that the key to the lock is right in your hands. Therefore, the decision to either step out for a breath of fresh air and a new life or to remain trapped is absolutely yours to make. I know you desire the former, which is being set free, and I strongly recommend that as well.
First, there’s a word that addresses this situation you are in. It’s an assurance that no record of wrongdoing is charged to your account, and that assurance is from a Father to his child. Take a look at it yourself, it says that “Farther than from a sunrise to a sunset— that’s how far you’ve removed our guilt from us” (Psalms 103:12, TPT).
I might not be able to tell the gravity of what you did, but one thing I’m sure of is that someone already paid the ultimate price that beats your offences. Should I tell you more about what He did? Of course, that’s the reason I’m writing this. You have an answer in the paragraph below.
“He canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us. He erased it all—our sins, our stained soul—he deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved!” (Colossians 2:14, TPT). Doesn’t that sound like heaven? So, what else is there for you to hold on to? Open your hands and let go.
When the voices in your head come at you with fierce aggressiveness, you have tons of responses in the Word to shut them out and keep them away. What He said about you stands true forever than what you’ve heard. Believe it, He did the work for you!
Also, I’ll request that you be grateful for getting a chance to be better and wiser. Some experiences might not be as happy as we would have hoped, but the brighter side is that we pass through them and we learn to be better people.
Don’t be so focused on the negatives that you lose sight of the forward push you’ve received. Learn gratitude from those situations and put on a garment of positivity. Remember, all things work together for your good.
Dear human, you are designed to be like your Perfect Father, but you reside in a body that is prone to imperfections. Therefore, you are not an alien to making mistakes. When you commit errors as you journey towards perfection, don’t see a loser or a failure in yourself.
You might not be able to change the previous situation, but you can make something good out of the next situation. Leave what has happened where it belongs. Instead, see reasons to live again, to right your wrongs, and be a better being.
One of the powerful tools that hold us bound is the thought of how other people’s perception of who we are. Dear one, if you hold on to that so seriously, you will be doing yourself more harm than good. Why not focus on improving yourself instead, and let your Father be given the praise for the good works that you do?
Did your action or inaction hurt another person? If yes, have you apologized? Guilt finds a breeding place in secrecy and unforgiveness. So, take a bold step today and apologize to the person involved.
As you do so, it is also key that you forgive yourself. Self-forgiveness has the key to the lock, don’t throw it away or keep staring at it from a distance. Remember, you have already been forgiven by the Person that matters most to you. Don’t trap yourself further by locking a door that has already been opened.
I want you to see yourself henceforth as a man or woman that is free from guilt and regrets. Live with positivity flooding your mind, choose to be grateful, and surround yourself with happiness. Your better days are right in front of you.
Right now, it’s a real goodbye to June! I’m so grateful that you’ve come this far with me. Please, send in your comments and follow the social media handles of the blog. The second half of the year will be a jolly ride for us. Stay loved!
