By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.

Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭6

Guilt is a sharp blade.

It’ll get the job done with great efficiency. But it’ll also cut the crap out if you when not handled wisely.

We shouldn’t not use a thing just because it’s sharp, but we should take extra care in how we handle it.

Especially in addiction, we are going to deal with guilt. Furthermore, we are likely going to deal with its cousin, shame as well.

Shame is a rusted blade, once sharp, but now ragged. It cuts, but not cleanly.

Let’s stick with guilt and be careful not to confuse the two.

Guilt is God-given. Guilt separates me from sociopathy. God will direct my steps if I am attentive before screwing up. Guilt directs my steps after I’ve screwed up.

Guilt will lead me one of two places. Toward the perpetual bottle where I often replace guilt with shame and really start fouling things up. Or toward God and change.

It is right and good to be scared of plummeting further down the spiral. God didn’t create us for us to mutilate ourselves.

The right bits of guilt at the right times can be fuel to return to the right way.

For the alcoholic and addict, this becomes harder over time as our blades are dulled from the repetitive nature of our disease.

We can become so desensitized to the realities of our guilt that we no longer feel its pang.

When clarity pries through, we would do well to pay attention. The light it brings may save our life.

God, I’m guilty, help me return to the way and bandage my wounds.