Becoming Like Jesus: Confession and RepentanceSample

The Lie of Shame

There is a force that wants to keep us in the dark. It’s a force that is working against us through a very powerful lie. The good news is that you can overcome it. How?

Keep reading.

Pray…

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus. Jesus, thank you for your grace and the victory you won against all the forces of darkness through your death and resurrection. Holy Spirit, help me walk in light of what Jesus has done for me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:7-9 NLT

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 1 John 4:16-17 NLT

Consider….

The force that pushes us to hide in the dark instead of living in the light is shame. Adam and Eve felt shame so they covered themselves and hid from God. Why? Because shame is that icky feeling that makes you feel worthless, miserable, and afraid because of something you’ve done or that has been done to you. It tells us the lie that if God saw or if other people knew who we really were they wouldn’t love us anymore.

If they saw the kind of websites you went to late at night, if they could hear the thoughts that run through your head every time that person walks into the room, or if they knew what you tried last weekend just so you could feel like you belonged—would you still be lovable? Shame says no. Shame is so damaging because the lies it tells are so convincing. We all want to be loved. We all want to know that we are worth it to someone—that who we are and what we bring to the table is valuable. When shame has its way, instead of opening ourselves up to be known and loved, we hide and cover up. And that’s what makes it such a powerful force.

So what can we do? We do what Jesus did when it comes to dealing with shame.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 NLT

Jesus disregarded the shame that came with dying on the cross. That means He set it aside. He didn’t factor it into His decision, in fact, He actively did the opposite of what shame was telling Him because there was something better waiting for Him. That something better was an intimate relationship with His heavenly Father and with us.

The beautiful thing is that the same “something better” is available to us today, but we have to have the courage to disregard the lie of shame and step into the light all the way. Hold nothing back from God and the trusted people He has placed in your life. There is so much joy and freedom on the other side.

Practice…

How has shame been holding you back?

What’s that thing that you spend so much energy hiding? What’s that habit you desperately hope no one finds out about? That experience that you have never told anyone because you are terrified of how they will respond?

Now think about the ways that keeping that secret has affected your life, your mental health, and your relationships. Is it worth that cost to you? Bring it to God today. Then, ask Him to give you wisdom about identifying another trusted person you can tell. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.

Listen…

Find a quiet place where you can continue to spend time with God. Maybe you have a favorite chair, a certain spot in your backyard, or a particularly cozy closet. Wherever you need to go to limit distractions, do it.

Set a timer for five minutes.

Ask God to speak to you.

When you get distracted in your mind, and you will, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, use it as an opportunity to come back to Jesus by praying this prayer:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 NLT

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you spent together and go into your day looking for opportunities to love Him and love others.