Facing the Shame
If we avoid identifying shame and live a life filled with regrets from the past our future will continue to elude us.
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
Shame is the potion that satan uses to keep us in bondage to the belief that we are not worthy to be loved. Shame is not from God. Shame says who I am is bad. Shame attacks the very core of our being. When we are reminded by our actions of the shame we have we validate what has been the reality about ourselves that we have been believing over and over again.
Shame is the first issue we must deal with in order to move on this path we are stepping into. The bible speaks repeatedly about that shame is not from God.
Take a lot of time to read and reread this scripture. Let it sink into your very core. It’s your answer to the truth about shame. Look, right now you might be saying this scripture is not for me, it’s meant for someone else. Why would you think that? You are the one this was written for. You are the reason the bible exists. Without you and all those who believe in the word of God there is no purpose. Think about that. When you read this scripture put your name into, personalize it as though God is speaking directly to you, because He is.
“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer.
For so long shame controlled my heart. It left me without hope. Worthless and stuck.
I saw what I had done was what I was and always would be. Shame became my go to place when I was down. I would place shame on my soul like a coat in winter. Covering up the sin not dealing with it.
Do you ever have something that concerns you and you just continue to deal with it? It might be financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual. Day after day you’re reminded of this nemesis. You start to give yourself excuses such as. “When I win the lotto, I’ll never need to pay another bill” or “as soon as this headache goes away, I’ll be able to feel myself again” or how about “I should feel bad about the relationship I’m in because I never seem to say the right things”. You may even have thoughts of “I’ll never be as good a Christian as the other person because I’ve never read the bible.”
All these excuses keep you in a holding pattern of life. Picture this, a pilot is on the runway ready to go. All systems are in place, the tower has given the pilot a clear runway. Yet he just stays in a holding pattern. The tower repeats its clearance to take off, but the pilot doesn’t move. He knows his destination what is holding him back from pressing into the throttle and taking off. What does he see that the tower doesn’t? Junk on the windshield. Junk that will not have any effect on his ability to fly. You see for so long I kept seeing junk on the windshield.
God in is infinite wisdom sees the big picture and gives us clearance to fly but we choose to focus on the junk on the windshield and stay on the runway. It’s time to trust in our Lord and Savior in the tower and fly. It’s time to trust in His vision and direction to take off.
TIME TO PONDER
What is your definition of shame?
How does that definition align with what God says in His word? Do a search for all the scriptures about shame. You will be amazed at how many there are.
If you knew back then what you know now would you have done what you did? I bet your first reaction is NO. So, what does that say to you about who you are today?
What does living without shame look like to you?
SPEAKING TRUTH INTO YOUR LIFE
I am sound minded
I am an overcomer
I am forgiven
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm
I am complete in Christ
A PRAYER FOR YOUR HEART
Father, shame can grip us and blind us from the truth that you give us in your word. Peel off the grip and take off the blinders that hold us captive. Rescue us Lord from our own selves that continually bring shame into our hearts. Defend us from the evil that seeps into our soul.
I pray for the one reading this Lord that shame will fall away as the winds of the Holy Spirit blow softly over their soul. Give them reassurance that they are whole in you and nothing can separate them from your love and protection.
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