Is shame stealing my joy?
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
Psalm 34:5, NLT
Shame likes to lurk in the shadows. It wants us to crouch low, stay in the corner, hide under covers. This was Adam and Eve’s first instinct when they felt shame in the Garden of Eden.
This is also exactly the opposite of what our response should be. We should turn toward the Light, toward a loving God whose arms are always wide open.
ACT
When you start to feel shame over something, go outside, turn your face to the sun and say, “I can have radiant joy.”
pray
God, I don’t always recognize the ways I try to hide from others, from myself, God, thank you that you want us to run to you instead of hide from you when shame starts to creep in.