“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you..."--Isaiah 54:4(NLT)
Shame is defined as embarrassment, mortification, humiliation, a painful feeling caused by injury to one's pride or self-respect. It is a condition of disgrace or dishonor that can lead to self-condemnation. It can derive its origin in a myriad of ways, imposed by self or others.
Some origins of shame may include:
* childhood abuse
* childhood molestation
* affairs (emotional and/or physical)
* addictions (gambling, substances, pornography, shopping)
* domestic violence
Can you identify with these definitions or origins? Have you ever experienced shame?
Shame is a horrible feeling! I can remember being shamed by a teacher in middle school. When I answered a question incorrectly, he cynically chuckled and said, "You're not the sharpest pencil in the box..." My classmates laughed and I could feel my insides contorting as I quietly prayed to disappear. I was so embarrassed and so humiliated. His words bruised me and the jeers of classmates only added insult to injury. His words haunted me for a long time because I never shared the incident until years later. Why? I was simply too embarrassed. Shame can lock us into secrecy. Secrecy pushes us into solitary confinement. Before long, we are completely imprisoned in our self-constructed jail.
One of the keys to overcoming shame is knowing that shame is empowered by secrecy. Shame needs a partner, a cohort, if you will. Its partner is secrecy. When we reveal and expose hidden secrets, shame is no longer fortified.
Are you living in the prison of shame and secrecy? If you would like to confidentially share an area of shame or secrecy, email: lauri@abrokenheartsgps.org or call:
1(866)460-8976. You can also access A Broken Heart's GPS Christian Counseling and Resource Center via Facebook or Google+. You can also complete the Contact form below. Let's get the victory over shame today in Jesus' name!
Click the button below to view the article "From a Cloak of Shame to a Garment of Praise"
Shame is defined as embarrassment, mortification, humiliation, a painful feeling caused by injury to one's pride or self-respect. It is a condition of disgrace or dishonor that can lead to self-condemnation. It can derive its origin in a myriad of ways, imposed by self or others.
Some origins of shame may include:
* childhood abuse
* childhood molestation
* affairs (emotional and/or physical)
* addictions (gambling, substances, pornography, shopping)
* domestic violence
Can you identify with these definitions or origins? Have you ever experienced shame?
Shame is a horrible feeling! I can remember being shamed by a teacher in middle school. When I answered a question incorrectly, he cynically chuckled and said, "You're not the sharpest pencil in the box..." My classmates laughed and I could feel my insides contorting as I quietly prayed to disappear. I was so embarrassed and so humiliated. His words bruised me and the jeers of classmates only added insult to injury. His words haunted me for a long time because I never shared the incident until years later. Why? I was simply too embarrassed. Shame can lock us into secrecy. Secrecy pushes us into solitary confinement. Before long, we are completely imprisoned in our self-constructed jail.
One of the keys to overcoming shame is knowing that shame is empowered by secrecy. Shame needs a partner, a cohort, if you will. Its partner is secrecy. When we reveal and expose hidden secrets, shame is no longer fortified.
Are you living in the prison of shame and secrecy? If you would like to confidentially share an area of shame or secrecy, email: lauri@abrokenheartsgps.org or call:
1(866)460-8976. You can also access A Broken Heart's GPS Christian Counseling and Resource Center via Facebook or Google+. You can also complete the Contact form below. Let's get the victory over shame today in Jesus' name!
Click the button below to view the article "From a Cloak of Shame to a Garment of Praise"
