Psalm 34: 4-5
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
Shame implies feeling bad about who you are, and is really different than simply feeling guilty. But there is no room whatsoever in a believer’s life for shame. God created me just the way that I am, and knows all of my shortcomings. He knows when I try to be better, and when I succeed or fail. When I think about it, allowing myself to feel shame implyies that God made a mistake in me. That just isn’t possible. He creates what He intends to create.
Holy Lord, I thank you for this lesson today- what a beautiful way to start the day. I am not ashamed, I am your creation. Amen
Becky, transforming
Psalm 34: 4-5
In some ways, guilt and shame are two sides of the same coin. If we, by God’s grace, have been absolved of the guilt of our sin nature, the shame that accompanies that guilt should be assuaged as well. The past is not erased and the harm our sin may have caused must be confessed, but continuing to carry the weight of shame suggests we have not accepted God’s gift of forgiveness and a fresh start.
Prayer - Forgiving God, my sin is ever before me. I depend on Your forgiveness daily to live a life with a radiant face of confidence in my eternal home and free from the overpowering stench of shame. Amen
TAA