Shame, guilt and condemnation are feelings we all deal with from time to time. God’s grace, however, empowers us to overcome such feelings. It’s a truth we can bank on! It simply takes knowing God’s truths and trusting God to overcome falsehoods attacking us. As we call out to Him for victory He enables us to overcome. He delivers us from feelings of guilt, shame and condemnation. This is His promise and part of His covenant of grace and truth. He truly wants to offer us mercy. He just waits for us to call upon Him in faith and truly trust Him. He then brings us into a greater realm of freedom of soul!
Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him…
…He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
When He hears it, He will answer you.
(Isaiah 30:18-19)
RELEVANCE
Shame comes from a variety of sources. Maybe we’ve done something we regret. However, God forgives us unequivocally. He offers us real freedom from such feelings. Shame also comes from internalizing forms of oppression put upon us by others. Like what?
Consider that other people around us have issues. So, we need to see that other people’s problems are not ours. Neither are their biases, ignorance or misinformation they might want us to believe. We also need to let their insults and inappropriate comments fall to the ground.
So, we’re talking about deconstructing oppressiveness in which the world and the devil try to entrap us. God’s grace and truth always provides comfort and answers. And God’s grace is sufficient to enable us to overcome and free us from all negative feelings. Hear His heart. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Yes, God’s grace is powerful. Truly, His grace is greater than our shame! We simply need to embrace it. We also can renounce criticism, false accusations and erroneous judgment that brings us down. Truly, as our Heavenly Father’s children and joint heirs with Christ, we stand boldly before the Lord in the confidence of His grace. So, embrace God’s grace and truths. Meditate on the truths of His Word. Believe in your heart and declare His realities.
REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND
Meditate on these scriptures. Speak these words into your heart as your own. Ask the Holy Spirit to flood your heart with God’s love. Receive His grace and truth washing you and refreshing you inside. Thank God for His love and freedom pouring into your soul. Express gratefulness for God’s grace.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17)
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:10)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)