Shame keeps us in defeat

What areas of life do you hold shame? There's probably, at least, one. I know I have them in many areas. We are a constant work in progress, so owning your shame doesn't make you some sort of freak, you're in good company. I know so MANY women hold on to shame that isn't their cross to bear.

How can we let it go? It is a daily, sometimes, moment by moment battle, but you've got to pray for strength and ask God to reveal the areas of shame you're holding on to. Many of which you may be unaware of. We can hold shame in our physical appearance, our sexual past, our food choices our vanity, an affair or lust after another human being. We can hold shame for an abortion or disordered eating. We can hold shame for spending money we shouldn't... the list goes on and on. When Jesus took His last breath on that cross, what did He say? Come on! You KNOW what He said, IT IS FINISHED. (EMPHASIZE PERIOD) IT. IS FINISHED. my friends, we've got to let it go. Sometimes we can let it go once and other times we have to let it go over and over again. But first you have to even acknowledge that it exists and be willing to confront it, bless it and release it from your life. We are ALL a hot mess just trying to live the best we can. I don't care how cute your social feed appears, you ain't foolin' nobody. I'm working to release the shame I've acquired in my marriage and I'm BARELY two months in! What in the actual hell?

I mean seriously, you are NOT alone. We MUST start to talk about some of these things because if we don't the devil is right there ready to fill your head will some bull**** that will never serve you and quite honestly, it's keeping you from living God's best for your life. Is that really want you want? To be shirking about judging yourself so harshly that you're never able to see the amazing, beautiful, incredible human you are? I don't think anyone wants that. I think we just live so paralyzed by it we don't know where to even begin.

That was the case for me. I was a big slut for a long time and when I met Darrel I'd committed to stay 'pure' until marriage, I'd rededicated my life to God and after one bottle of wine I let it all go, vagina and all. Do you think God loves me any less? NOPE. He sure doesn't, but I've shamed myself up and down the 2 years before we got married. Because like a good 'Christian girl' should wait, I didn't. I had to release that to God, even yesterday we talked about how much shame we BOTH felt having sex outside of marriage. Yes ladies, men feel shame too, it's only the brave, God-fearing ones that are man enough to talk to you about it.

I want you to think about the shame parts of your life. And make a mental note. Then, one by one ask God to take them from you. And guess what, He will. But! BIG BUT, are ya ready? YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO LET IT GO. Yep, that's the hard part because life happens between our ears and it's our own condemnation that keeps us from living God's best. So, over and over you have to give it over to God and ask God to heal your heart, yes, but mostly your head. Get OUT of your own way beloved, His ways are better than yours and His thoughts are definitely higher than yours. You were never meant to carry half the shit you carry, so LAY IT DOWN AT THE FOOT of that CROSS and STOP, for the LOVE OF BABY JESUS, picking it up again.

LET IT GO. You CAN be free from food addiction, from disordered eating, from lust and gluttony and debt and sexual immorality. The devil loves it when we hold on to it and he uses it to shame us, but sometimes it's our own thoughts that are the ones that keep coming back, I know mine do.

I just look up if I'm in a crowd. Or I take a deep breath with my eyes closed. He KNOWS your heart. He will take it from you but stop picking it up. When you ask Him to forgive you, BAM! He does, your slate is WIPED CLEAN! So whyyyyyyy do we keep picking up our mess like our husband's dirty socks on the floor? LET IT GO my friend. This takes PRACTICE, depending on your shame-scale it could take years. But it IS a discipline you can continue to practice, over and over again until you're free. Keep looking up, just say Jesus and see how the Peace that passes all understanding wipes away the crap that's holding you back.

He is SO good and He loves you SO much. You don't have to hold on to your past. Let shame go and stop shaming others. We need to love one another, that is truly what changes the world. And I don't know about you, but I'd like to see some world changes today.

Can I GET an Amen?!