Shaped by Grace - Lose the Lies & Gain God's Truthናሙና

Live Unashamed

Lose the lie: “I’m shame.”

There were years when I lived feeling ashamed. I carried shame like a martyr’s coat of heavy iron. Without fail, my perspective about myself was riddled with overwhelming guilt. And I couldn’t tell anyone about my feelings.

I can’t pinpoint how it all started, but I realize now I was under the weight of accumulated negative thought patterns. One Sunday evening in church, my heart came to a screeching halt when I heard the lyrics of a worship song. In three words, “you are blameless,” I was set free from years of mounting guilt and shame. My tangled heart of emotions awakened to God’s presence, and He exposed a web of lies, defensiveness, and offensive mechanisms.

Negativity can circumvent your growth. Unforgiven offenses leave you with pieces of resentment where bitterness takes root. True forgiveness wipes you clean. As you forgive the hurts, you must choose to take Him at His Word. So, I ask, are there residual accusations or condemning words hanging over you?

Now I understand why God’s forgiveness and forgetfulness are so important. Forgiving is one step, but forgiving AND forgetting creates double the impact. The art of letting go of past shame and related guilt must be learned. Often the mind likes to dwell on the negative aspects of life. Left unchecked, your personal shame creates self-blame and clings to offenses regarding your behavior.

Truth is, our sins are forgiven because of Jesus, but we must ask for deliverance from returning to the power of sin.

Plus, we must learn to forgive ourselves and then accept that we are forgiven. God offers mercy. He doesn’t cast shame or blame upon us. When we confess to Him, He doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. He’s not in Heaven checking off our names on a trouble checklist. No, He is our Helper in every need! So, repent and live unashamed.

Gain God’s Truth: God’s grace outweighs all shame. It’s important to remember that God is for us, loves us, and sees us under the blood covering of Jesus. We are can live unashamed because Jesus has paid dearly for our worth! When we’re feeling “no-good” about ourselves and think ourselves unworthy to even talk to Him, we MUST remember the blood of Jesus breaks every chain. He never shuns or shames! Through forgiveness, repentance, AND forgetfulness, we are set free. Blameless before God! What a beautiful thought! Don’t let shame keep you hostage!

My prayer is that this plan encouraged you to lose the lies and gain God's Truth. More encouraging devotions are found in the six month devotional and companion journal.