Have you tried hard to overcome shame? I’ve tried hard to overcome it, and the only way I did it was with faith in God. This is part of my story, and I hope it encourages you.
Dealing With Shame
Shame has haunted me for a long time. I have a photographic memory, and memories of shameful moments come up all the time. Ten, twenty, thirty years ago–it doesn’t matter. When I experienced shame, it cut into my memory like a knife.
Shame came from the lips of those I loved and those I didn’t even know. I’m sure they didn’t realize how deeply their words would cut. But I adjusted my habits and appearance as soon as I heard their words. For many years, I covered up my smile with my hand due to cutting comments. I also made certain that my stomach and bottom were covered up well since many people shared disparaging taunts about my weight. If someone criticized my thoughts or feelings, I took note not to ever share them again with that person.
I still carry the effects of shame. I catch myself tugging at my shirt or jacket to cover myself up, all the time. My open-mouthed smile is seen only by people I trust. I share my deepest thoughts and feelings, but only with those I deeply trust.
Conquering Shame
The road to conquering shame has been a long one. It takes time to heal from the cuts of wounding words. The only way I did it was with God’s help.
In 2003, I began reading the One Year Bible every day. By soaking in God’s opinions about me, I began healing from shame. When the photographs from the past came up in my mind, I was able to defeat them with the truth of God’s Word.
I’m honored to post about overcoming shame at Woman 2 Woman Ministries today. Here’s a preview of my post, and I hope you’ll head over to read the rest.
How to Overcome Shame
When God created Adam and Eve, he placed them in a shame-free relationship with himself and each other. Can you imagine the freedom and peace they must have known without shame as a barrier?
But the moment Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, shame entered the world.
At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
Genesis 3:7 NLT
Rejection is often the source of our shame. We need to expose the shame, examine the roots, and take our needs to God…
Please head over to Woman 2 Woman Ministries now to finish reading about how to overcome shame with faith.
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