Accept You Are Forgiven

Guilt comes in many forms, sometimes we cut ourselves up for things we've said or done that we've realised we shouldn't have done. Other times we can make ourselves feel guilty because of someone elses situation which we really have no business to feel guilty about.

Sometimes feeling guilty is good, because it confirms that we've recognised that we've done something wrong, and we need to correct it. It may be that we need to ask someone else for forgiveness and make peace with that person. Sometimes it's God we need to face up to to admit our wrong doing and seek forgiveness.

Have you ever approached God and asked Him for forgiveness, but still you've felt unforgiven? What do we do when despite God forgiving us, we still feel guilty? Well here are a few things to think about if you're still feeling unforgiven:

1. Remember God has forgiven you so there is absolutely no reason why you should still guilty. In other words, if God can forgive you, why should you forgive yourself?!
2. Realise that by refusing to accept God's forgiveness, you are saying that Christ's sacrifice on the cross, was not enough to forgive you of your sins!
3. Seek forgiveness and peace from those affected by what you said or did
4. Try to stop focusing on what you said or did that is making you still feel guilty. You've been forgiven, so move on!

Psalm 51:9-10 (NIV)
Don't' keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

Challenged

Last night I got around to watching the BBC's two part programme called Famous, Rich and Homeless, which puts homelessness in the spotlight by getting five famous volunteers to agree to swap their lavish lifestyles, fame and fortune for a world of sleeping rough, soup runs and hostels for 10 days

At a time when our economy is in recession and repossession become reality for so many, homelessness is a becoming a more frightening possibility for lots of folk.

In the programmes the volunteers are stripped of everything they value, given clothes more applicable to their new homeless status, and also a sleeping bag to symbolise their new life. We are then shown how they adjust to being invisible, vulnerable and desperate as homeless people living on the streets of London and then later in the programmes, living in a homeless hostel (some in London, others in Glasgow).
The physical and emotional experience of the volunteers during their ten days on the streets was plain to see during the programme. The volunteers found themselves challenging their prejudices and preconceptions of homelessness and the different reasons and circumstances that result in someone without having no home - something that we all take for granted.

I must be honest, I shed a number of tears while watching these programmes. It was soul wrenching to hear the stories of some of those of the homeless folk the volunteers encountered, and the circumstances which had caused them to end up on the street. I for one have been challenged by the programmes, as I am ashamed to say I feel embarrassed/awkward when I see/encounter homeless folk, and where possible would probably try and avoid having to speak to them. I cannot truly express how ashamed I now feel.

There is one thing that sticks in my memory that a number of the homeless folk said, and that was the extreme loneliness they feel when living on the streets. If I'm honest, I think that just added to my feelings of guilt as I know I often try to avoid homeless people when I see them on the street, as I'm not good at dealing with new situations or talking to folk I don't know. Just because I feel awkward or uncomfortable does not make it ok for me to avoid these people, after all they are the very ones who need my help, even if it's just to talk

I have forgotten that homeless people are in real people too, just like me and you! They are God's children just as much the rest of us!

So many of the folk who find themselves having to live on the streets, find themselves doing so simply because of the circumstances or situations they have found themselves in, often through no fault of their own. Having watched these programmes and found myself challenging my perception of the homeless, I spent a long time in prayer, not just for those who find themselves living on the streets, but also for myself, that God will give me the strength and guidance to approach homeless people and talk to them, rather than avoiding them.

We must thank God for giving us the kind of lifestyle we have. At times we may complain and think our lives are terrible, but out lives are luxurious compared to those living on the streets.

Please pray for the following:

• Those who find themselves living on the streets
• Those who work with the homeless
• The safety of of homeless and those who work with them
• The families of the homeless
• That those from broken families may find peace and reconciliation so can return home
  

We are all God's children. We must do what we can look after one another...those we know and those we don't, those who are doing well and those who have hit hard times.

You can see the two BBC programmes at BBC iPlayer : http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search/?q=Famous,%20Rich%20and%20Homeless