Peter's Guilt

I think Peter suffered from survivor’s guilt. He survived a traumatic event—the death of his Lord and Saviour. He and the other disciples at first went into hiding, thinking they would be the next ones arrested for their faith. Peter had acted like a coward when courage was needed. As he looked into Jesus’ eyes he knew that his denial of Jesus was wrong, but he did it anyway. He knew he did not deserve to have survived.

Then Jesus met him and asked him three times if he loved him.  
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. John 21:17

Three times to match the three denials. Jesus offered complete forgiveness and countered Peter’s guilt. 

Christ did not dwell on the past but focussed on the future. He said, “Don’t worry about the past. You have survived because I have a job for you to do.”

I believe this is God’s message for every person struggling with the guilt of being a survivor.