Devil's Dart: Shame

For many years my ugly past clung to me like glue. The weight of my past from the things I did, the things I didn’t do, the decisions I made followed me every day and made me think I had become this person whose past defined my future. Even in moments of happiness, there was always a whisper in my mind that said, “You’re not worthy”. But everything changed when I met Jesus and accepted him as my Lord and Savior.

When Jesus entered my life, I encountered grace in a way that wrecked me and then rebuilt me. You see, Jesus didn’t meet me at my best. He found me at the lowest part of my life. This is where shame convinced me that I was beyond forgiveness. Shame tells us we are what we have done. It’s not just the guilt over our actions but it is a strong feeling that our failures define our identity. But knowing Jesus flips that lie upside down! The cross wasn’t just about our sins being paid, it was about our identity being restored.

What is my identity in God? “Therefore, if anyone in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Who am I in God? “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:2)

Who does God say I am? “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) 

How does God forgive my sins? “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins”. (Colossians 1:13-14)

How can I accomplish this in my own life? “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Studying the word, you will see a Savior Who doesn’t just erase your shame, he replaces it with love! You are not the sum of your mistakes. You are not the worst day you ever lived. YOU ARE HIS! Letting go of shame certainly isn’t a “one and done” act. It is an everyday journey. Sometimes those old voices try to creep back into my head. They scream that you are not worthy. But now you have an even louder voice and it belongs to Jesus. Jesus calls you beloved, redeemed, and free!

When the enemy reminds you of your shame, you remind him of who Jesus is, and that you belong to him. You are not beyond grace. Jesus didn’t come for the perfect. He came for the broken. He came for you! Don’t let shame keep you from the arms of the One who died to remove it. You don’t have to earn your way into His love; it’s already yours. When you find yourself in those moments of shame, the ones you’ve covered in silence and loathing, He already knows and he still chooses you.