Scripture of the Day:
2 Samuel 10:4 (NLT)
“So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame. 5 When David heard what had happened, he sent messengers to tell the men, “Stay at Jericho until your beards grow out, and then come back.” For they felt deep shame because of their appearance.”
Shame RX of the Day:
When we feel less than, we become “more than” we ever thought we could because God uses everything in our lives – the moments of shame and pain – to mold us into His image.
Staring at the girls all around the room, I noticed their jammies were nice. Mine did not match. My hair was a mess and I had no makeup on. Looking down at the ground, I tried not to look up into their faces. The judgment I felt was enough. It was a Girl Scout sleepover that was a surprise. My mom had told me to pick out some jammies for bedtime. She did not say I would be wearing these jammies in front of people.
There in the circle of this “fun” gathering, they decided to pick who had the ugliest jammies on and award this lucky individual a comb. Good times. You guessed it. I was the “winner”. And shame was there, confining me in a space I could not escape from.
Ever felt shame like that? There are a myriad of reasons why we can suffer from feeling less than. Some come from the culture around us and some from within.
David’s men certainly felt shamed when Hanun cut off half their beard and their clothing right at the buttox. Having had my own share of bad haircuts and also having experienced clothing failure moments, I can feel some shame just reading the verses. But to be exposed intentionally for all to see is downright painful shame. Feeling less than, for sure. David even told them they might as well hang out elsewhere until they were over their shame.
[Tweet “Our appearance is only a source of shame because of comparison to others.”]
Our appearance is only a source of shame because of comparison to others. But no one could ever truly shame us unless we let them. Perspective changes everything. Even when others try to shame us, we can know that our worth does not come from one moment of shame.
[Tweet “Even when others try to shame us, we can know that our worth does not come from one moment of shame.”]
Ever been embarrassed by others? It is just a moment. Don’t let that moment live on in your head. When we let shame humble us, we turn it into a tool to build character, then let it go.
[Tweet “No one could ever truly shame us unless we let them. “]
In the end, when we feel less than, we become “more than” we ever thought we could because God uses everything in our lives – the moments of shame and pain – to mold us into His image.
[Tweet “When we feel less than, we become “more than” we ever thought we could because God uses everything in our lives – the moments of shame and pain – to mold us into His image.”]
Did you know that shame affects us all in profound ways? Sometimes we don’t readily see it, but that does not mean it is not present. I have had the pleasure of writing “Shame Off You” this year and marvel at all God has revealed in the midst. No matter what the source of shame for your life, God can help to remove it through His Word. “Shame Off You” is available for pre-order now. Let me know if you pre-order. I would like to personally thank you with some free additional tools to help you live the Shame Off You Life!