Dealing With Shame

But you will forget the shame of your youth. Isaiah 54:4

I have a list of past sins, guilt, and shame that rears its ugly heard from time to time. The enemy of my soul loves nothing more than to remind me of past failures, deliberate sinful choices, and shameful acts. Sometimes the people in our lives do the same with looks and comments that let us know they haven’t forgotten what we did.

Freedom from shame and the ability to forget can only be accomplished when we see that it is not God who is condemning us. When we realize the truth of Isaiah 53 we begin to see it has ALL been paid for. Then Isaiah 54 replaces the image of a harsh, condemning God with a God of compassion and loving kindness. It is only as I see these truths side by side can I begin to discard the shame and walk in beauty.

It is occurring to me that from childhood I have struggled in the area of dealing with sin in the right way. Fear of disapproval, punishment, and anger was all it took for me to hide the truth about myself and my actions. At a young age I learned to dress myself in shame and the garments stayed on me well into adulthood.

What is the message shame gives me? It tells me because of my actions I am worthless, no good, ruined, disgusting, unlovable, and devalued. I then take that message and determine I will do everything I can to make sure no one finds out. It becomes a life of hiding and secrets.

It wasn’t until recently that I learned there is freedom when I come before God in honesty. As I admit what He already knows and longs to forgive, the prison door of shame swings open and I am free. While God does judge sin, He loves me with compassion, mercy, and grace. It is His heart’s desire to forgive, redeem, restore, and reconcile me with Himself. He is not wanting me to live my life in shame. Rather than walk with downcast eyes, slumping shoulders, and internal condemnation, He desires me to accept His forgiveness and live unashamed.

Confession is necessary but it is not the whole story. It is simply the first step in replacing shame with a song of freedom and deliverance.

Father, so often I forget Your heart. Sorrow over sin should drive me to You. Shame will cause me to hide. May I stop hiding. Amen.