Built for Guilt?

Guilt-  a feeling of having done wrong or failed in an obligation. I read something today that brought about the discussion of us not being built for guilt. When thinking about it I really felt strongly about the statement. "We are not built for guilt." So why is guilt constantly in the back of my mind or really in the front of it? We do we constantly allow guilt to plague our lives? Now their are a few tangents I can go off onto when discussing this further. Most people think of guilt as when they were a kid and they did something wrong and felt guilty. The same type of things happen to us as adults. But I am not really talking about that type of guilt. I am talking about the guilt we feel when we sin against God and the guilt the will not allow us to be content and pleased. Now I know that God is a merciful God. He did not  put us here to be miserable. But at the same time his rules are pretty concrete. He didn't impose these rules to make us unhappy. On the contrary he did this to give us all the opportunities available to be completely happy and close to him. Doesn't it seem the farther we stray from God the more hopeless and miserable we get. Its like a slippery slope and we end up on our knees in the dark broken. I couldn't believe God would want this. He's my father and not even my earthly father would ever wish that for me. God's gifts and our happiness are ours if we just believe in God's promises. Romans 3:23-24 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  He recognizes we make mistakes and promises his grace. God promises shouldn't be ignored. Thats why I don't believe we were built for guilt. Thats the last thing he wants for us to be burdened with. I can honestly say I feel like I carry about 30 extra lbs of guilt with me in a backpack daily. Why do I hold onto this guilt? I keep it with me as a reminder of how worthless I sometimes feel. Keeping it with you isn't necessary. I have to let it go. Give that guilt to God. He'll take it. He wants me to be happy and I remind myself of that daily because I know it can be overwhelming at least for me it feels that way. 

Now, onto another built for guilt tangent. Although, it still returns to what I have already discussed. I struggle with the guilt of pleasing other people. Almost to the point I hurt my own happiness. It's good to find a safe and healthy median for this. God wants you to always be kind and compassionate. He wants us to encourage each other and build each other up. But he also wants us to be taken care of and don't skimp on taking care of ourselves. And I can honestly say its amazing to find someone who allows you to be free of guilt in your relationship. I just think some people struggle with relationship guilt and its easy to fall into. You know you think I need to make this person happy but does this coincide with my happiness or what I know is right for me, you, us? Now I am definitely not saying to be selfish! AT ALL. That is why this is such a tricky situation. You know what makes it easier. Finding that person who allows you to be both. Surround yourself with the people who want you to do your best for both of you and not have guilt. There shouldn't be guilt in relationships. We should all work daily to improve things and trust each other. It all comes back to how God wants you to be happy and follow his laws. He WILL put the right people in your life that help facilitate this. Not saying there aren't going to be trials, wrong people, or a bumpy patch of road or two. But being free of guilt in relationships really seems to lift a weight off your shoulders or in my case a 30lb backpack. 

So when thinking about the statement "we are not built for guilt" I wholeheartedly agree. It's almost like a mantra! Repeat it and say it in your head or out loud. I was not built for guilt I was built for happiness and God's amazing promises. Now if that doesn't give you chills I don't know what will or at least put a hopeful smile on your face at least.