Day 6: Shame

Shame is rooted in 'I am my past.' This is the opposite of what God says and thinks about us.

We all have made unwise, hurtful choices that cause us shame. Many of us may have experienced shame as a result of someone else's words or actions. Shame can feel like we can't escape the past, or it's still as real today as it was when it happened. Shame can keep us locked in the fear of others finding out about it and judging us for it.

It is so important that we ask God what He thinks of us because the enemy would love for us to believe that we are what we've done/experienced instead.

God always says, "I forgive you. You are not your sin and I believe you will choose differently next time. You are my son/daughter and that's what defines you."

The enemy says, "You will never change, because you are your sin."

The enemy tries to turn sin into our identity, removing hope from our situation or the potential for restoration of our relationship with God.

For example; if we confess to lying, God reassures us, "I forgive you for choosing to lie and will strengthen you in your honesty," but the enemy might whisper, "You are a liar and always will be." The enemy tries to make our sin our unchangeable identity, whereas God separates our identity from our behaviour.

Shame, when unaddressed and left to fester, will begin to try and disqualify you from your future based on your past.

When I look at my past, there's no way it makes sense that I, Jessica, should be in Christian ministry. My past would tell you I'd be at best, an unlikely, and at worst, disastrous choice to be a minister of the Gospel. And yet...

I can't imagine the level of shame that tried to disqualify and prevent St Paul from his calling to serve and lead the Church. Before he was Paul, he was Saul - a prominent radical leader responsible for the death of Christians.

Paul said about himself,

"For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." (1 Cor 15:9-10)

But God didn't look at Paul's past - He called him by his future. Sometimes God has a higher belief in us than we do for ourselves!

After we 'get right' with God, when God looks at us, He doesn't see our past. He sees someone He created, that He's proud of, that He believes in. If God doesn't hold our past against us, neither can anyone else.

Be Honest:

• Is there anything that you need to ask forgiveness for from God? (If yes, ask for His forgiveness right now. He is willing and waiting with arms wide open.)
• Do you feel shame as a result of something someone said or did to you? Ask God if this is your burden to carry, and what name He really calls you. For example, if shame tries to tell you you're dirty, God might say you are 'Clean' or 'Restored' or 'Beautiful.'
• Are you letting the past disqualify you from your future?
• Are you believing any false titles about yourself? For example, 'Liar' or 'Cheater' or 'Failure.’ What is the real way God describes you? For example, 'I am strong' or 'I am faithful.'

Bonus Challenge:

Write a list of the areas in your life where you have seen the biggest challenges, or felt shame. Sometimes the areas of our life under significant attack are actually highlighting areas where God wants to move powerfully. For example; if you feel shame around a past addiction, perhaps you are called to help others to get freedom in this area too! Or if you‘ve struggled with dyslexia, maybe you are called to write. Anything is possible with God!
No matter your past, God can turn anything around for good.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen 50:20)