For All have sinned and come short to the Glory of God! Rom.3:23
Guilt is a feeling that everyone is familiar with. It can be described as "an uneasy conscience" or "a feeling of failure." We feel guilty when we feel responsible for an action that we regret. There are different types of guilt. People can feel ashamed, unworthy, or embarrassed about actions for which they are responsible. In this case, we refer to real guilt or guilt that is appropriate. However, real guilt is only one form of guilt. People can also feel guilty about events for which they are not responsible. This false guilt can be equally destructive, if not more so. Feeling guilty for events which are out of our control is often unproductive and emotionally debilitating.
Although shame is an emotion that is closely related to guilt, it is important to understand the differences. Shame can be defined as "a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety." Others have distinguished between the two by indicating that "We feel guilty for what we do. We feel shame for what we are." Shame is often a much stronger and more profound emotion than guilt. "Shame is when we feel disappointed about something inside of us, our basic nature and of the simpliest things." Both shame and guilt can have intensive emotions for our perceptions of self and our behavior toward other people, particularly in situations of conflict.
Both guilt and shame are important social issues. As such, both are profoundly tied to social situations. Our ideas about guilt and shame "what is right and wrong"
come from Church, social situations, education, family, work, and friends. As a result, it is important that educators, parents, friends, and family work to make sure that those around them (particularly children) have a sense of self-worth and are encouraged. By showing people concern and caring, we indicate that doing something wrong does not necessarily reflect on the person as a whole we all make mistakes.
By differentiating between the action and the actor, we can help prevent shame and its negative stigma, while still encouraging a healthy sense of right, wrong, and guilt when necessary. Knowing that you are not alone and others are subject to mistakes, failures and successes is encouraging. Don't beat yourself up it is life!
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