Shame
Scripture:
Isaiah 54:4
Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
Hebrews 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Reflection:
Today I choose to fast from the wound of shame.
Shame is an insidious wound in many people’s lives. It is that small voice inside of us that says we are unworthy in some way. Inadequate. Failure. Undesirable. Some of us are so familiar with the voice of shame that we don’t even recognize it as such. We simply learn to hide all the things that we don’t like about ourselves.
As we read in Isaiah 54:4, God desires to set us free from shame. God does this by reminding us of the truth about our identity as beloved children of God. When we meditate on that truth, fixing our eyes on Jesus, we will start to feel the grip of shame decrease in our lives, and with it, the need for competition and judgement that leads to envy.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What causes me to feel shame?
How does fixing my eyes on Jesus impact my experience of shame?
Prayer:
Share with God those areas of your life that cause you to feel shame. If this is too difficult for you, simply rest in the knowledge that God knows you and loves you exactly as you are. Pray that God would help you to see yourself and others more clearly without the lens of shame and judgement.
These devotions have been adapted from “Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin” by Ken Kniepmann.
