Ok who’s with me? No shame here in the new year! It has a nice ring to it! Shame robs us of peace, causing us to hyper focus on a false perception of ourselves. We don’t want to waste time on that, do we? Here are some ways to eradicate shame in the new year:
No Shame Here: Our Appearance
The wrinkles are coming, y’all, as I hit the mid 50’s. Gasp! No shame on my age, either! And did I mention I am +20 pounds? I am not saying we need to go around looking disheveled and not caring about taking care of ourselves, but too much emphasis on our appearance is idolatry. Self on the throne with selfies to the max! Shame due to our appearance means comparison is lurking in the shadows. We are all aging. Make the most of every age and stage and flip the script to realizing how blessed we are to be aging because it means we are alive!
No Shame Here: Our Performance
Ugh. Comparison lurks here, too. News flash for you and me: we are not perfect. Never have been and never will be. Our worth is not tied to our performance or success. Breathe this fresh breath of air! How wonderful! Flipping the script again, it is just a blessing to keep trying and keep working alongside Jesus, whatever we are called to do. It is not a flop in his eyes, and His perspective lasts forever, unlike the fickle opinions of others.
I started podcasting and broadcasting again after so many problems that necessitated taking a break (a flooded out basement wrecked my podcast room, too). This is hard to stick myself out there again. Already I have had trolls demeaning me because I am a …. woman. I would love to have you join me there as I share about Theology at Home.
No Shame Here: Our Requirements
Is what you are requiring of yourself what God is, too? The demands on us all are over the top in today’s culture. I feel the tug in multiple directions continually. Expectations from others and expectations I place on myself too. But what does God require of us?
Fear God. Walk in His ways. Love God. Serve God. Obey God.
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good” (Deuteronomy 10:12–13)?
We mediate Christ to this world. The enemy wants to shame us so we will shrink back. But Christ chose us to represent Him not based on our own righteousness or abilities—but based on HIs. What a privilege. We don’t have to be perfect to be used by God.
Can I suggest that the mercy and justice and kindness God requires of us to give to others we should also perhaps give to ourselves? No shame here in the new year happens when we no longer examine ourselves according to a fleshly lens.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)?
Check out the Seeing Deep blog this week for a mindset hack and a free song to help you be grateful instead of shameful at thanksgiving.