Guilt has a way of popping up at random times, in random places. Sometimes I'm minding my own business—walking down the street, sitting at my desk or preparing dinner—when a shameful thought comes charging into my head.

No matter how hard I try to shake it, this guilt completely alters my frame of mind. And it leads me down a rabbit trail of confidence-shattering thoughts: Do I actually prioritize my wife's needs over my own, or do I just think I do? Am I selfishly managing my budget? Do I call my parents enough? Am I the son they wanted me to be?

By the time I regain my focus, I've created a mental list of flaws I need to fix—all triggered by my guilt. Have you been here before?

Maybe you feel guilty about your relationship with your kids. You love them dearly. But while juggling a tight budget, a demanding job and a busy social calendar, you barely have enough time for yourself—let alone enough time to fully invest in their lives.

Or maybe you feel guilty about a mistake or shortcoming. You lashed out at a co-worker, made a purchase that sent you into debt or offended your spouse with a rash comment. Now, you can't seem to erase the memory, even though you've sought forgiveness and are working to improve your relationships, behaviors and attitudes.

These situations, and so many others, can hinder our confidence and feed into our anxiety, creating a barrier between our guilt and God's love and grace. But here's the good news: we don't have to stay in this place. By engaging with God's Word, we can learn to receive his peace, hope and assurance.

If you feel overwhelmed with guilt today, I encourage you to meditate on these six Bible verses:

Acts 20:32 (GNTD)

"And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people."

2 Timothy 1:9-10a (GNTD)

He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:10b (GNTD)

…The God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation.

Hebrews 4:16 (GNTD)

Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

Psalm 103:11-12 (GNTD)

As high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who honor him. As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us.

Isaiah 1:18 (GNTD)

…You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.