Shame
Shame dies at the cross. Others may heap shame on us (or we heap it on ourselves) in response to our failures, whether real or perceived. But Jesus set us free from shame. To kill it, we must go straight to His cross.
Step 1: Atonement
The first step in removing shame is removing the failures that we feel ashamed of. Only Jesus' sacrifice on the cross can wash these stains away.
Go to Jesus in prayer and confess every detail of your shameful behavior. If you feel your actions were not shameful, but others accuse you unjustly, tell Jesus those details instead.
Once you finish, declare this verse aloud: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). God is faithful. You are now clean.
Step 2: Reset Your Focus
The second step in removing shame is focusing your eyes on what God thinks about you. Humans may scorn us, but God refuses to. He chose to love us entirely, even while we were still His enemies (Romans 5:8).
Jesus endured the worst shame possible on the cross, yet He scorned the shame by fixing His eyes higher. “Jesus . . . for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2).
Jesus focused on the joy set before Him—the love of the Father and the redemption of all His followers living with Him forever. The shame that others tried to heap on Him fell flat. Jesus knew the joy coming and that joy scorned all shame.
Focus your eyes on joy. Your Savior Jesus loves you fully now and will one day welcome you home with open arms. Immerse yourself in Scripture, proclaiming God’s love for you. Shame dies in the light of love.
Contact Care Ministries for additional counseling and prayer support to break free from strongholds.
Kyle Davison Bair is Prayer Ministries Pastor at New Hope Church. He has a passion for people to call on the name of Jesus for direction and seek an authentic culture of prayer in this church.