From the very beginning of Scripture, shame entered the human story long before any of us took our first breath.
In Eden, Adam and Eve hid.
Covered themselves.
Avoided God’s presence.
And spoke blame out of brokenness.
Shame’s first instinct was to hide from God—and it hasn’t changed its strategy since.
But here is the breathtaking truth we often forget:
God’s first response to shame was not condemnation.
It was a promise.
Right there, in humanity’s darkest moment, God spoke hope:
“He will crush your head…” (Genesis 3:15)
The first prophetic whisper of Jesus.
Before discipline, exile, and before consequences fell…
God offered a Redeemer.
Shame tries to tell you that your beginning disqualifies you.
But Jesus shows us that your beginning is where redemption starts.
💛 Shame Rx:
Shame loses its power when we trace our story back to God’s promise, not our failure.
How Shame Shows Up in Our “Beginning Moments”:
- When you remember a failure you can’t undo.
- When past sin still whispers identity lies.
- When your family of origin left marks you still feel.
- When you think, “My story could never lead to something beautiful.”
Shame fixates on the broken beginning.
Grace points to the promised ending.
And Jesus is the thread that connects the two.
Let Jesus Rewrite the Beginning
If shame is telling you that you’re too far behind…too flawed… oo broken…
remember this:
- God spoke Christ into your story long before shame ever tried to define it.
- Redemption is older than your regret.
- Grace was promised before guilt ever existed.
The garden is not where your shame wins; it’s where God’s rescue plan began.
A Simple Practice for This Week
When shame from your past rises, speak this aloud:
“My story began with God’s promise, not my failure.”
Then read Genesis 3:15 and let your heart rest in the God who has always made a way.
Closing Reflection
Shame says, “Hide your beginning.”
Jesus says, “I redeem beginnings.”
Shame says, “This is who you are.”
Jesus says, “Watch what I will make you become.”
Shame says, “Your story is over.”
Jesus says, “This is just the first chapter.”
Check out the Seeing Deep blog this week as we trace Jesus through the Scriptures all month.