The Mended Rib: A 27-Day Devotional for Men Battling Lust and InfidelitySample

The Truth About Shame

Shame is a heavy burden that traps you in a relentless cycle of sin and isolation. It whispers insidious lies like, "You’re too far gone," "You don’t deserve forgiveness," and "You’ll never change." Shame thrives in secrecy and guilt, trying to convince you that you’re beyond redemption. But in Christ, there is no condemnation. Jesus took your shame to the cross so that you could walk in freedom. While shame tries to drive you away from God, His love pulls you closer. You can bring every failure to Him without fear—He already knows you fully and loves you completely.

I know the suffocating weight of shame. There were times I couldn’t even look my wife in the eyes. I felt so unworthy of her love, so filled with guilt, that I even considered leaving my family, believing they would be better off without me. I once told my wife that she should marry someone who deserved her, because I was convinced I wasn’t capable of being that man. Shame became like a baseball cap I wore daily—covering my mind and distorting how I saw myself.

But even in those moments of darkness, I clung to the truth of Scripture: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Even when I struggled to believe it, that truth became my lifeline. Shame doesn’t have to define you. God’s love and grace are far stronger than the lies shame tells. You are not beyond redemption; in Christ, you are free from shame’s grip.

Challenge

Whenever shame tries to remind you of your past, counter it with the truth of God’s Word. Memorize Psalm 34:5 and recite it whenever you feel overwhelmed by guilt or shame.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for taking away my shame. Help me to look to You and remember that in You, I am forgiven, restored, and free. Amen.