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As I seek to take a moral inventory of my life, one of the things I must deal with is guilt. Knowing that I am a sinner ( 1 John 1:8-10 ), I need to ask myself some questions:

Is my guilt authentic? Do I have this guilt because I have sinned against God and/or another person? Or, have I taken on a false guilt over people or situations over which I have no control? This is a good time to pray the prayer of serenity: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference..." (Reinhold Niebuhr)

Are there unconfessed sins in my life right now? If so, I need to remember that God has promised to forgive me if I will just confess ( 1 John 1:9 ). If I have sinned against another person, am I willing to make reconciliation? ( Matthew 5:24 ) If someone has sinned against me, am I willing to forgive them? ( Luke 6:37 )

What is my character really like? Wherein do my thoughts and/or actions not agree with my belief system? If I want my character to grow positively, I must be honest with myself and earnestly pray that God would show me (as much as I'm able to bear) just where I am failing.

I fearlessly make this inventory of my life because I know that His "grace is sufficient" and His "strength is made perfect" ( 2 Cor 12:9 ) in my weakness. He is able to turn my weaknesses into strengths. "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength" ( Philippians 4:13 ). And, He "will never leave" me, "nor forsake" me ( Heb 13:5 ).