#TINGE OF GUILT HOW TO#

A psychiatrist once berated his patient saying, 'After all these years you still feel guilty? You should be ashamed of yourself!' With a psychiatrist like that, it’s little wonder the patient was still feeling guilty.

#TINGE OF GUILT HOW TO#

Perhaps you know someone who really knows how to lie on the guilt trips, a family member, a friend, or someone you work with. When the fact is – it’s our responsibility. Actually, haven’t we all at some time or other said something like, 'Why did you let me have that cup of coffee or that second helping of dessert or whatever.' As though someone else were guilty for our problem. Then there’s also laying guilt on somebody for something we’re responsible for ourselves.

Motivating by guilt is generally not a good means for accomplishment. But in the long run it doesn’t do anything to build up the relationship. Have you ever tried to motivate someone by guilt – a child, spouse, partner, friend or co-worker? It may work short-term and get a certain job or task done. The angry parent says, 'Eat your dinner or I’ll kill you.' Whereas the guilt-laying parent says, 'Eat your dinner or I’ll kill myself.' Like in the case of a youngster who won’t eat HIS dinner. Many families have at least one member who occasionally motivates by guilt. Not only does that story speak of the need to let go of guilt, but it also lifts up the difference between guilt and feeling guilty. You know that we monks are forbidden to touch a woman.' Replied the first monk: 'I put her down on the other side of the stream you’re still carrying her.' After walking half an hour in silence, the second monk turned to the first and suddenly blurted out: “Brother, it was wrong of you to take that woman into your arms and cross the stream with her. When his companion joined him they resumed their journey. Immediately he made his way to her side, boldly lifted her into his arms, forded the stream, and put her down on the other side. While they stood hesitating, one of them observed an attractive woman downstream in the same predicament. In the course of their travels they came to a stream that was wide and deep. Guilt is a gripping feeling that can hold us for a long time if it is not dealt with. Guilt is often experienced in a very personal way – deep within us. In fact, I have known people who have carried a guilt for many, many years. Who needs it anyway? I suspect every one of us has carried guilt at some time in our lives.

And in case you were feeling just a tinge of guilt for hoping and praying that today’s would be a shorter sermon – you can rest easy – your prayers have been answered. To relieve any guilt about keeping you all too long on this hot, humid summer Sunday, I decided in my better judgment to preach a shorter sermon for this morning.

Tinge of guilt