“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I asked someone I respected to please pray for me. When they asked what about, all I could think to say was that I just felt like there was something wrong with me. Like, deep down, at my core, wrong with me. I didn’t have the words to express what I felt. However, I knew it was shame.

It was not guilt. Guilt is about recognizing you have made a mistake. Shame is feeling that you are a mistake. Big difference. Shame convinces us that the real us must stay hidden, because no one wants to see the real us. It leaves us afraid of the thought that the real us is exactly who God sees. That is what I was experiencing because of things that were said and done to me a long time ago. Those words and actions embedded themselves in me and became a false lens on my self-image.

God sees the real us, every bit of us, and He still opens His arms with love for us. When He looks at those of us who follow Christ, He sees spotless daughters and sons because Jesus died to take the place of our shame. I can let go of shame and embrace the value He places on me.

Letting go of shame isn’t a “once and done” deal. For me, shame is removed like layers stripped away as I realize and reject each lie I have believed. I check each piece of shame off my list and remove it from me as I discover truths from God’s Word to replace each lie. Letting go of shame may not be quick, easy, or simple, but it is freeing. God does not believe the garbage we have believed about ourselves, and He will remove it, if we let Him

Please pray for me as I am praying for each of you.