Guilt

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life                                             Proverbs 4:23

I was speaking with a client recently about being motivated by guilt. Guilt can indeed motivate us to do things, like – “I really should call ________ but I don’t like to talk to them”. Guilt, however, is a negative motivator. It keeps us away from negative consequences, but it may not give us the satisfaction that other motivators do.

Guilt may serve its purpose, but there is a cost to it. It may leave us with a bad taste in our mouth. We may feel resentment for having been pushed by guilt to do certain things.

On the other hand, love is a great motivator. It leaves us with a sense of hope and renewal of spirit.

 As I have said in this space before, it is better to go toward the good than to avoid the bad.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see the light of the good better than the darkness of evil, Amen