Chapter-Two

Finding Relief from Shame

In you I trust, O my God, Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. Psalm 25:2

By the end of this chapter,you’ll be able to consider how to:

• recognize the various voices of shame
• replace your shame with God’s mercy
• trust the truth of God’s Spirit in you to be greater than the “truth” of your feelings.

O Jesus,
I want so badly to hear my own story.
Can I sit on your lap and hear you tell me?
Does the little girl ever grow up to believe in herself?
Does she find her way through the darkness?
Is she healed from the horrible pain of divorce?
Does she get to use her gifts and passions before she dies?
Does she become who you created her to be?

O tell me my story!
The one you wrote where I had the lead
and you thought I was wonderful and brave and strong.
I won’t shut out your embarrassing words of love
or correct you when you see beauty in me.
I will stay and listen until the enormity of your love
breaks my resistance
and your joy in me becomes my joy, too.

The Feelings You Feel

God delights in you. I know it seems hard to believe, especially on days when you’ve acted less than delightful, but it’s true. His love for us is unconditional, so unlike any other that we struggle just to believe it. Jesus understands our pain and isn’t afraid of our ugliness. He’s tender enough to hold us when we cry, and tough enough to tell us the truth when we’re acting up.

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