Shut Up, Shame!নমুনা

I vividly recall the depths of shame I experienced during a painful breakup. This person was someone I believed with certainty would be my husband. However, when it all ended, I found myself engulfed in a sea of shame and sorrow. I kept asking God, "why would you allow this kind of pain to enter my life once more?" I thought I had finally gotten it right this time. I believed this was "it". I felt ashamed for what seemed like getting it wrong or being single again. It felt like my fault. The idea of getting to know someone new was daunting. Despite the numerous red flags I had seen and the signals from God indicating that this was the wrong direction with the wrong person, I was resolute in my determination to make it work. I yearned to finally get things right, even if it meant settling for less than God's absolute best.

Amidst the turbulence of the breakup, the Lord ministered to my heart. He directed me to Isaiah 53:3-5 in the NIV, which reads: "3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed."

Upon reading this scripture, I realized that the Lord carried the very feelings of shame I was so afraid to bear. Christ could relate to what I felt, even though the depth of despair He experienced was far greater. He had already endured what could be perceived as the greatest shame known to humanity, but God redeemed Him. He was resurrected after undergoing His own process. A process that was absolutely necessary for the salvation of all mankind.

Sometimes, we find ourselves questioning why we must endure certain trials in life. It feels unjust and disappointing, and we may even harbor feelings of anger. But remember this, God is with you, and He carried your shame on the cross. No matter what you're facing, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. The journey may be tough, but I firmly believe that God did not bring you this far to abandon you like a bad habit. No! He will carry you through this. He will sustain you and remind you of your worth. He loves you deeply, and there is nothing you can do, nor anything that can be done to you, that can ever diminish that love.

He wants you to understand that His love for you is boundless, everlasting, and always available. I pray this understanding alone makes you feel secure, whole, and truly cherished by Christ. Repeat after me: "I am not defined by my actions. I am defined by God's love and grace for me."