If all you do is pour on the guilt, you could very well drown him in it. My counsel now is to pour on the love.
- Corinthians 2:7-8 (MSG)
We've all done it. Someone has forgotten an important occasion, didn't live up to expectations, made a mistake...and we made sure they knew about it. Instead of addressing the matter in a mature Biblical way, we decided to give them the silent treatment, read them a laundry list of all their past mistakes, or go into a self-pity act. Not you? Have you ever been mad at someone, they ask you what's wrong, you reply with a curt "nothing"? Ah yes, I thought so!
Guilt-trips aren't a God-response but rather a flesh-response. They are a way of trying to control and manipulate. Why do we do it? Many times it's because we feel a lack of control over something in our OWN lives so we react by trying to control someone else's.
The Bible says that we ALL fall short of the glory of God...and yes, that would include me and you.
Let's try to remember that the next time our emotions want to get the better of us. There are times when people must be called out. There are times when your emotions are completely justified. There are times when God will use you to bring CONVICTION (not guilt). Ask God to show you how He wants you to handle the situation. It may not bring satisfaction to your flesh but it will give you victory over it.
