The truth about shame
A devotional series for those rebuilding after loss, pain, and/or trauma*
Shame appears early in the Bible, within the narrative of Genesis 3.
After Adam and Eve sinned, they felt guilt and shame; in response, they covered themselves with leaves and hid from God within the garden. When God came to find them, he freed them from their shame and released their guilt with a sacrifice. He also made a plan of rescue and restoration for the future, for us. That plan was Jesus.
Those who were a part of Jesus’ earthly family are listed in Matthew 1:1-16. As we read through that list, there may be a few names that we do not expect. Among the men listed, there are also five women: two widows (one mistreated and the other an immigrant), a prostitute, a victim of sexual assault and a teenager who became pregnant.
All of these women’s stories were impacted by sin. Each of them held the shame of their stories and of being seen as unworthy and vulnerable. Yet, they were chosen by God to be a part of his plan to send Jesus into the world. The very world that hated them would also hate him.
The thing about shame is that it takes sin – either our own or that done to us – and puts it at the center of who we are. But God, from the beginning to the end, has made a way for his people to know that it is not sin that defines them. It is God who defines you.
Even though your shame may tempt you to hide from God, he will come near to you. God does not want you to withdraw or hide away from the sin in your life because of shame. He is not mad at you or disappointed in you. In fact, it is in the presence of sin where God’s love and grace is the most needed and the most abundant!
It’s time to take God’s plan of forgiveness and apply it to your life. To transform shame into self-compassion. To forgive yourself and others. Because forgiveness brings true freedom from the past and provides hope for the future. Because he delights in you and calls you holy.
Jesus came into the world to seek and save the lost, women and men exactly like those who had been carefully chosen to be a part of his family. Women and men, like you and me.
Read the following passages of scripture:
Matthew 1:1-16
Genesis 3:6-10
Romans 5:20-21
Isaiah 61:7 (NIV)
Hebrews 10:11-18
Romans 8:1-2
Zephaniah 3:17
Colossians 3:12-14
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Something to think about…
What did you learn from the scripture readings about how God responds to shame?
How does what you learned about God change the way you view yourself?
Missed previous weeks of the series? Read them here:
Week 1: God’s Story in You
Week 2: What God Says About You
Week 3: What Went Wrong?
Week 4: Renewing Your Mind
Week 5: Understanding Your God-Given Emotions
Week 6: Turning Your Pain into Purpose
Week 7: The Power in You
Week 8: The Truth About Anger
Week 9: The Truth About Grief
*Not all pain is the same. Not all scripture feels comforting in every season. If you find yourself in need of additional support, please reach out.