Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 5, 2020
There is a sure way for us to know that we belong to the truth. Even though our inner thoughts may condemn us with storms of guilt and constant reminders of our failures, we can know in our hearts that in His presence God Himself is greater than any accusation. He knows all things. I John 3:19-20, The Voice
Recently over an extended family dinner, our niece confessed her Covid shame. Unknowingly, she was infected with the virus and innocently exposed a few of her friends who became sick with the same. Though she knew in her head the truth, the enemy relentlessly accused her heart of irresponsibility, thus releasing guilt and compounding shame. Covid shame. The feeling of doing something wrong when in reality we all suffer in a fallen world, and in our fallenness we will feel stings of pain we may unknowingly or unwillingly transpose on those we love. Shame is subtle, sneakily sapping our strength while leading us to emotionally flog our heart.
But—our Savior Jesus Christ has a No Shame policy! Our Lord’s salvation wrapped in His love sets us free from self-condemnation and from listening to those insidious voices of false guilt. The presence of God and His perfect love in our heart is greater than any accusation. His love covers all claims of wrong doing—real and imagined. Because He knows all things, He flushes out false claims of shame and inserts the very real comfort and conviction from the Holy Spirit. Before we beat ourself up, we have to remind ourselves of why we needed Jesus in the first place. He bore our pain, overcame our shame and freed us to walk in newness of life. Yes!
“Because what Isaiah said was true: “The one who trusts in Him will not be disgraced” (Romans 10:11, The Voice).
Shame seeks to push us into isolation, as Adam and Eve learned when they ”hid” from God. But separation from the Lord and His people is the opposite reaction we need to follow when shame haunts us. Instead, we become honest with ourselves, others and our Savior about our feelings of unworthiness or embarrassment. Someone may have spewed his pent up anger on us in a desperate attempt to blame—though he really longs for love. Being made to feel responsible for another’s pain is a peerless path. Only Jesus can bear the full agony of a severely wounded heart. When shame tries to ambush from another, show empathy, but lead her back to perfect love.
Most of all, speak your shame out loud to the One who bore all sin on mankind’s shameful cross. “Lord, I feel embarrassed to be with anyone, but I know you are pleased with me, even satisfied with my desire to be known.” The Holy Spirit will give you the courage to find a safe space with someone who loves you, and who loves Jesus. Verbalize your fears and ask her to unmask the lies and reinforce the truth. Shame loses its footing and falls from its place of influence in your life when revealed and rejected. Rewrite your story around the shameless embrace of your Savior’s acceptance and love. God is greater than any shameful accusation, hope only in Him.
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I reject shame and accept your love and acceptance, I pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Who is a professional Christian counselor I can meet with to process my shame and hurt in a healthy manner? I highly recommend: https://www.relationalcare.org
Related Reading
Isaiah 50:7; Psalm 34:4-5; Romans 8:1; Hebrews 12:2
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Shame looses its footing and falls from its place of influence in your life when it’s revealed and rejected. #wisdomhunters #shame #truth #Jesus
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