In my novel, The Struggle, when a terrible tragedy occurred, Hannah blamed her husband and was unwilling to forgive. In Hannah’s grief and anger, she and pulled away from Timothy, emotionally, as well as physically.

Often when a person has been hurt by someone or feels responsible for something they, themselves, have done, they will put the blame on someone else’s shoulders. That seems to be easier than carrying the blame themselves.

Blaming others for things they have done to us, or blaming them for things we have done ourselves, but won’t acknowledge, isn’t pleasing to God, and it only makes things worse in a relationship. What are some ways we can deal with a tragedy or some upsetting event and not put the blame on someone else?

One of the most obvious things about the Amish life is their desire to yield to God and please Him by the things they say and do. They teach their children to pray before and after each meal. They attend church together as a family and sing songs about God. They give themselves to others.

While all these things are pleasing to God, what pleases Him more than anything is when we worship Him with our whole heart. Sometimes we feel the need to please others, but the One we should want to always please is the Lord.

Pleasing God should be our goal;
He sent His Son to save man’s soul.
Like a father cares for his young,
God provides for Christians, everyone.
He takes care of those who trust;
The desire to please Him is really a must.

— WEB

Earlier this month one of my first novels, The Storekeeper’s Daughter, was re-released. This book deals with the kidnapping of an Amish child, and the oldest daughter in the family, Naomi, was the one who left her little brother, Zach on the picnic table with a stranger. What did Naomi’s behavior after her brother was kidnapped reveal about her character and feelings of guilt? Was Naomi’s guilt justified?

Have you ever felt responsible for something and became consumed with guilt? Did your guilty feelings cause you to do things you might not have otherwise done?

What are some ways that people deal with their guilt? How do you think God wants us to deal with our feelings of guilt?