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I've been wrestling with something lately, a feeling that I know many of us struggle with from time to time: shame. It's a heavy weight, a darkness that creeps in and tries to define us by our past mistakes. I've found myself revisiting past actions and decisions, replaying words I've written and spoken, and allowing those memories to cause a deep sense of shame within me.
Shame whispers lies. It tells us we are unworthy, guilty, and even terrible people. It drowns us in "I shouldn't have" thoughts, making it hard to move forward. But I'm learning that shame doesn't get to have the final say.
God has already said that I am not alone in this battle.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
God is my help, my firm foundation. He doesn't want me to be weighed down by shame.
Isaiah 50:7-9 NIV [7] Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. [8] He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! [9] It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.
The devil is a master at bringing up our past sins, trying to trap us in a cycle of guilt and self-hatred. But we don't have to listen to his lies. We have a choice. We can turn shame away.
The incredible truth is that Jesus has already forgiven our past sins. Completely. Forever. His blood has washed them clean. We don't need to carry that burden any longer.
Romans 8:1, 28-35, 37-39 NIV [1] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (emphasis mine)
[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The past is the past. It doesn't define us. Jesus defines us. He sees us not as the sum of our mistakes, but as His beloved children, redeemed and made new.
So, today, I'm choosing to give my feelings of shame over to Jesus. I'm trusting Him to lift this weight from my shoulders. It's a process, a daily surrender, but I know that with His help, I can break free from the bondage of shame and walk in the freedom He has given me.
If you, like me are struggling with feeling of shame right now here is a prayer for freedom from shame.
Dear Jesus,
Please help me to give all my feelings of shame over to You. I don't want to be held in the bondage of shame anymore. Shame has no place in my life. Instead, my life is meant to be lived in Your forgiveness, mercy, and love. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me grace every day. Amen.
Shame whispers lies. It tells us we are unworthy, guilty, and even terrible people. It drowns us in "I shouldn't have" thoughts, making it hard to move forward. But I'm learning that shame doesn't get to have the final say.
God has already said that I am not alone in this battle.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
God is my help, my firm foundation. He doesn't want me to be weighed down by shame.
Isaiah 50:7-9 NIV [7] Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. [8] He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! [9] It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.
The devil is a master at bringing up our past sins, trying to trap us in a cycle of guilt and self-hatred. But we don't have to listen to his lies. We have a choice. We can turn shame away.
The incredible truth is that Jesus has already forgiven our past sins. Completely. Forever. His blood has washed them clean. We don't need to carry that burden any longer.
Romans 8:1, 28-35, 37-39 NIV [1] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (emphasis mine)
[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The past is the past. It doesn't define us. Jesus defines us. He sees us not as the sum of our mistakes, but as His beloved children, redeemed and made new.
So, today, I'm choosing to give my feelings of shame over to Jesus. I'm trusting Him to lift this weight from my shoulders. It's a process, a daily surrender, but I know that with His help, I can break free from the bondage of shame and walk in the freedom He has given me.
If you, like me are struggling with feeling of shame right now here is a prayer for freedom from shame.
Dear Jesus,
Please help me to give all my feelings of shame over to You. I don't want to be held in the bondage of shame anymore. Shame has no place in my life. Instead, my life is meant to be lived in Your forgiveness, mercy, and love. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me grace every day. Amen.
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