The Shame that Defeats

The reason God frequently emphasizes in his Word that our identity comes from him is that our own mental abilities are grossly unreliable. History shows us that the human intellect is astonishing in what it can imagine and discern and create. Despite that, we are often unable to filter out words and thoughts that infect and debilitate us.

I’ve discussed redemptive shame that leads to restoration in other devotionals, but there is a dark side to shame. That toxic feeling of not being good enough is one of Satan’s most lethal weapons. It is often first deployed against us when we are young and vulnerable and soaking up both approval and disapproval like little sponges. Harsh words spoken to a child can reverberate through a lifetime, and they can cause us to talk ourselves out of many of life’s blessings. Experiencing silent reproach, abuse and neglect can lead to broken relationships and poor health later in life. All of these can damage our ability to receive God’s love and grace and healing.

The enemy works hard to keep this running narrative of our worthlessness in the dark. Within the confines of our mind, unspoken shame can grow without dissent and without God’s divine perspective.

Some years ago, I spoke at a pastor’s conference with about 2,500 people in attendance. One night, after speaking on the topic of shame and woundedness, I gave an altar call. To the shock of everyone on the stage, at least three quarters of the congregation came in a wave toward the front. I walked through the crowd and began praying and talking with people, and their sorrow and tears broke my heart. Although painful and raw, this moment was also a clear breakthrough that gave them hope. As their stories poured forth, I could see that the shame they had kept in the dark for years had finally met the light of Jesus’ healing, unconditional love.

When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12, ESV), he was not being passive. Light aggressively seeks to illuminate darkness, to purify and restore perspective. When we take our shame and distorted thinking to God, he reminds us that he views us as his marvelous workmanship, whom he has made most worthy of redemption. “You are precious in my eyes,” he says, “and honored, and I love you” (Isaiah 43:4). His eternal view of us, not our finite one, is our true identity.