Shame distorts the way we see ourselves.
Shame whispers, "You are the problem!" rather than, "You have a problem."
Shame perverts our view of who we are—children of God made in His image. Shame says we have to hide because ultimately we are wrong or bad. We are not just sinners, we are sin.
Shame prompts us to conceal what we think is wrong with us, leading to narcissism.
Shame comes at us from every direction so that we never get to enjoy who God made us to be—let alone share ourselves with the rest of the world.
Yikes! Time to kick it to the curb.
Ask: Jesus, what has shame whispered to me? What is the truth about that?
Ask: Jesus, what feelings came with shame? How do You feel about me?
Ask: Jesus, what actions have I taken from a place of shame? How can I act now?
Shame keeps us locked in the story we are telling ourselves about what everyone else thinks.
Shame causes us to cling to perfectionism and keeps us stuck in fear of exposure.
Shame doesn’t think rationally about issues of guilt. Instead of saying, "I made a mistake," shame says, "I AM a mistake—therefore, I must hide before everyone finds out."
Shame deems us unworthy of love from others—God or ourselves. It cuts off our ability to receive love which is our life source.
Let today be the day you come out of hiding. Trade your distorted view of yourself for God’s view of you. Allow your head knowledge of God’s love to become the experience you have desired.
– Cayce Harris