What is shame and where does it come from?

If we believe that we are not enough we give this lie power over us. When our defenses are down, and we’ve lost sight of our worth in God’s eyes, we’re particularly vulnerable to shame.

Shame is different from guilt. Guilt says, “You’ve made a mistake,” but shame says, “You are a mistake. You are not okay.” Words and experiences that feed our shame stay with us for years. Is there shame in how clever or stupid we perceive ourselves to be? When we look at our bodies do we feel ugly or undesirable? Have we come to believe that in our relationships we are just not enough? Do we carry shame about our past, our background, our family secrets?  When we compare ourselves to others do we wonder if we’ve achieved enough?

We can choose to take hold of words and experiences that healed us of shame

We need to listen to the voices that are speaking in our mind, body, heart soul and spirit. What is stopping us from truly being ourselves?

Continue reading Healing shame – reclaiming God’s image of us →