Why do we Avoid experiencing Guilt and Shame with such great determination and energy? Because guilt and shame is crippling i.e. It makes us feel like worthless failures.
This goes against everything in us. We are not designed to feel worthless but are hard wired to experience greatness/glory (For more discussion in this see the links below).
It doesn't take much
Guilt and shame is right below the surface of our feelings and easily exposed/surfaced with the slightest provocation. We are walking guilt and shame time bombs with a hairpin trigger. We see evidence of this with some of the items listed below.
How do we avoid guilt and shame feelings? Our options:
· Lash out at those who cause them (play the victim role...common today)
· Avoid those who cause them (find a "safe space" which can be lonely since none of us are perfect).
· Pretend they really don't exist i.e. It's all in our head.
· Recognize and experience the removal of actual guilt and shame (not just the feelings) through the sacrificial death of Christ on our behalf.
For a discussion of the cause and removal of guilt and shame click here.
For a discussion on the futility of indulging in guilt and shame click here and here.
For a discussion on our being designed for greatness/glory click here and here.
