The Rest of Your StorySample

Rescued from Shame

One of the primary weapons in the enemy’s arsenal is shame. So many of our stories have been written in the language of shame.

What does this look like in your life and story today? How far back can you trace it? What are you most ashamed of? It may not be something you have done; shame comes just as powerfully with things that have been said to, said about, and done to us.

Also importantly, what have you done with your shame?

The truth is that most of us do exactly what Adam and Eve did. We hide in response to our shame.

There is another option, and Jesus shows us the way.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Jesus scorned the shame of the cross. The Greek word for scorned here is kataphroneo, which means “to despise, look down on, take on, render powerless, put in its proper place.” This is a key point if we really want to experience all the life that Jesus came to bring us.

Although we may continue to feel shame, our sin is covered. If we are followers of Jesus, our sin has been buried as deep as the deepest sea. God remembers it no more.

We must learn to lean into the rest of the story. We must learn to choose love, not shame. We must learn to rest in what Jesus did on the cross. He not only conquered sin, but rendered our shame powerless too.

What would life look like if all the shaming voices were silenced and God’s voice was the only voice you heard? Yes, you have been forgiven, but have you really and truly experienced all that Jesus came to do for you? Has your captive heart been set free?

Quietly name your shame to Jesus while envisioning him right in front of you, looking him in the eyes, feeling his hug and love, and hearing what he says to be true about you.