Shameless

You're in the midst of one of your happiest moments, listening and sharing, laughing and crying, reminiscing days already gone and anticipating days to come. You're in a room full of beautiful women of God who were obviously placed in your life for very specific reasons. You think to yourself, Wow... I am so blessed. I love these people so much. Thank you Jesus for putting them in my life. I couldn't ask for better. You know that you are right where you belong, surrounded by exactly who you are meant to be with. But suddenly, it doesn't feel so good. The room shrinks and you feel your chest collapsing. Those women seem so far away and you seem to stick out like a sore thumb. They see you. They know what you've done. They don't want you here. You don't belong here. You aren't even worthy of being in their presence. You aren't "good" like them. All you can think about is getting out of there. In the blink of an eye, one of the happiest moments of your life turns into a horror movie in your mind. Shame takes over.
Or maybe you're getting ready for church on a Sunday morning and decide that you shouldn't even go because your thoughts remind you of that boy you slept with several months back and you tell yourself God doesn't want you coming into His church. You can't even pray because you feel unworthy of even speaking to Him. Shame takes over. Maybe someone asks you what your story is and your mouth suddenly becomes paralyzed because you can't imagine telling them the kind of life you used to live. Shame takes over. Maybe you see someone in need or you can tell they are struggling internally and God prompts you to pray for them or to speak life into them but you don't because who are you to try helping anyone with anything when you struggle too? Shame takes over. Or maybe you're alone in your bedroom and you come across those broken razor blades and that little voice inside your head says, "Do it. You're worthless." Shame takes over.
Ya know, the devil is not stupid. But he's also not a genius. As I have heard it said time and time again, his tricks do not change. Ever. Because he knows what works. He knows what will break you down the fastest. One of his favorite weapons? Shame. I have never encountered anything that forces its way into your mind and shuts you down more quickly than you can even see it coming, the way shame does. I have never experienced anything more crippling.
The bad news: Shame is pretty common. I'd be lying if I told you that those scenarios I described weren't direct anecdotes from my life. I have yet to meet one person who has never experienced shame.
The good news: Shame is not from God. Like I said before, it is a weapon formed AGAINST us by the enemy. Why would God ever make me feel like I was unworthy because of my struggles? Why would He ever tell me that I'm not qualified to be used by Him because of what I've done in the past? He wouldn't. John 10:10 says, "The theif comes only to steal, kill and destroy," it ALSO says (and this is my favorite part), "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." He will NEVER do or say anything that would do anything but benefit me, or you, or anyone (and sometimes it doesn't feel good, but that's a topic for another time). There is a vast difference between feeling conviction from the Holy Spirit and feeling condemnation, guilt and shame from the enemy. God wants us to recognize our wrong doings and to ask His forgiveness on those things but what He does NOT want is for us to dwell on them, allowing them to cripple us.
The better news: We have authority over shame. Every shameful thought that enters my mind, I have the authority to tell it to leave. I have it. You have it. Authority-- because of the Blood. In Isaiah 54:17 we are assured of this, "no weapon formed against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you." Typically I use this verse as a reminder about people in the natural who falsely speak out against me or when I'm in the middle of a tough situation and need to remind myself that it will not break me down. But often times I forget that it pertains to the enemy and his lies as well (because that's exactly what shame is-- a lie directly from hell).
The best news: We are not disqualified. I am not, and neither are you. The biggest lie that comes from a shameful mindset is the one that the things you did before you surrendered your life to Christ, or the things that you battle even after you've given your life, take you out of the race to be used by God. If that were the case, a huge chunk of the Bible wouldn't exist. Jacob lied, God used him. Elijah went through depression and had suicidal thoughts, God used him. David committed adultery and murder, God used him. Peter DENIED Jesus right in front of His face, God used him. I did a lot of things, God uses me. You've done a lot of things, God uses you.
I have wanted to share these thoughts for quite some time now but truth be told, God wouldn't let me. He brought me through it first so that I could fully understand it and understand how to fight it. Because up until just days ago I was a walking billboard with the word "shame" written all over it. I allowed it to overtake every part of my life and it kept me from stepping into the fullness that God wanted for me. But on Sunday, September 17th I was delivered from shame. Fully, completely. I answered an altar call (which is something I normally don't do because, ya know... too ashamed) and as I stood receiving the truth being spoken over myself and many other men and women, I felt the shame that once drowned me completely leave my mind, my heart, my body and my spirit. I fell to my knees overwhelmed by the glory of God and as I was there He said. "Now is the time. Write it down."
That's not to say that shame won't try to creep in from time to time. What it means is that when it does, I know how to destroy it. What it means is no more walking around feeling inferior to everyone around me because of my past. What it means is no longer doubting the power in my testimony. What it means is fully knowing that God can and will use me no matter how torn, beaten and broken my slate is. What it means is freedom.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." // Romans 8:1-2