| 1:40 MIN READ |

Shame is a painful feeling. It’s an emotion we feel over sins we’ve committed, mistakes we’ve made, and humiliating things we’ve experienced. Shame and guilt go together.

There’s a healthy part of shame. When we’ve genuinely done something wrong, shame can motivate us to address it. It can move us toward God for forgiveness and healing. It can help us seek reconciliation with people we have hurt. When we handle our shame this way, we’re freed from its presence.

On the other hand, if shame isn’t handled well, it haunts and harasses us. Shame drives people into a hidden life of fear and failure. Shame brings insecurity, self-hatred, and isolation. Unresolved shame fuels all kinds of bad things in people’s lives. Shame can cause people to run away from God instead of to Him.

One of the greatest lessons we can ever learn as believers is that our shame should move us toward God instead of away from Him. He’s a God who forgives, heals, restores and embraces people ridden with shame. When we bring our shame to Him, He frees us with His love. He saves us from our shame!

Take a look at the following verses. Psalm 103:2, 3 (NIV) “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits — who forgives all your sins …” and Psalm 103:11, 12 (NIV) “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Are you struggling with shame? Is there any lingering, haunting guilt in your life? Run to God today in honesty and humility. Tell Him about your shame, and receive His love, grace, forgiveness, and healing. He saves people from shame!

Pastor Dale

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