Shame can be a powerful force in our life. It is the trademark of dysfunctional families. Often times people get Shame and Guilt confused. Guilt is a feeling or thought that what we did is not okay. It indicates that our behavior needs to be corrected or altered, or amendments need to be made. Shame on the other hand is an overwhelming negative sense that who we are isn't okay. Shame is a no-win situation. We can change our behaviors, but we can't change who we are. Shame can propel us deeper in self-defeating and sometimes self-destructive behaviors.
We feel guilty for what we have done, but we feel shamed for who we are. There is a huge difference in the two.There are many things that can cause us to feel shame. We may feel ashamed for making mistakes or succeeding. We may feel ashamed about certain feelings or thoughts. We may feel ashamed when we have fun, feel good, or are vulnerable enough to show ourselves to others. Some of us feel ashamed just for being.
Shame is a spell others put on us to control us, to keep us playing our part in dysfunctional systems. It is a spell many of us have learned to put on ourselves.
In the book of Hebrews chapter twelve we read that Jesus had a choice to accept or reject the shame that others were trying to place on Him. The bible says that "he endured the cross but despised or rejected the shame..."
Christ died that we could live a shame free life. Reject the shame today my friend. Put your Trust in Him.
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