Freedom from Shame

 

Shame... we've all felt it… Probably from a very early age. We did something wrong and got caught, and then felt the shame. And then every time that memory comes up, that same feeling returns as well its condescending voice. The shackles of shame are strong and can be multi layered. We can have shame from the initial incident, and then can go back into shame again and again and again every time we think of it. After a while, it can become part of our identity if we allow it. After repeated exposure to it, it may feel as though it belongs to us.

Shame's voice is loud and seeks to embed itself in the very core of who we are. Shame can be attached to something we have done, either a childish irresponsible action or spontaneous choices made that have long-lasting impact, or even something that happened to us that we were not responsible for. Unless we recognize what it is and reject it, shame will continue to play a role in our lives, sometimes consciously, definitely unconsciously.

Is there an area of your life that every time those thoughts come up you bear the shame of those actions? Or perhaps they were actions done to you that have caused you to carry shame, as if you were somehow responsible? Recently God revealed an area in my life that I have been carrying shame. I didn't even realize how suffocating it was at times, and it wasn’t even based in truth. But with repentance and coming out of agreement with it, I was set free from that shame.

So, again, what about you? Is there something that stands out in your mind? If so, I have some really, really good news for you! God doesn't want us to carry shame, and He has provided a very easy way to get rid of it!

It's important to realize that we are gatekeepers over our lives. We get to choose what we allow in and what we keep out. If we have allowed shame to take a seat at our table, once we recognize it, we can evict it once and for all. We can unlink our arms with that thief of peace and no longer be plagued by its nagging voice. I can think back over my life to many instances where shame tried to creep in, sometimes successfully, but every time, God has set me free from it.

It's important to realize that we are gatekeepers over our lives. We get to choose what we allow in and what we keep out.

If this resonates with you in some way, I want to encourage you to take the time right now to come out of agreement with shame. Wherever you are, step into the freedom that Jesus already bought for us with His blood. It's as simple as a verbal confession and repentance. Say it out loud, because the enemy (Satan) can't read our thoughts, and you are effectively serving notice that you are coming out of agreement with the shame, and it has to leave.

Feel free to do it on your own, or if you want a little bit of help, I will put a prayer down below that you can pray. And honestly, it's not just shame. If you recognize other areas in your life that are stealing your peace and that you have come into agreement with, you can insert that in the place of shame in the prayer below. Whether it be dishonesty, gossip, lust, pornography, idolatry of any sort, or anything else that comes to mind, you can be free from that today as well.

Once you have repented and come out of agreement with it, there is a process of walking it out. That means every time it knocks at the door, you don't let it in. Just as in our own homes, we don't invite every person inside that comes to our door. The process is the same as we guard our thoughts and take every thought captive as it says in II Corinthians 10:5. So be encouraged today. You can be free!

If you have questions or would like help in walking through the process, let me know, and I would be happy to help! Today is your freedom day!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I recognize that I have allowed shame (or anything else) to have a seat at my table. I repent for allowing that in my life, and I command it to go. I joyfully accept the freedom that your blood bought for me, and I choose to walk in that. Thank you for your gift!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.