Read the amazing story of Isaiah’s encounter with God in Is. 6:1-7 for the biblical basis of my thoughts below.
When we feel ashamed, we don’t want to look someone in the face. We want to avoid them. However, Jesus wants us to come into his presence and look him in the face to deal with our shame caused by our own sin. He wants us to confess and repent. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
Receive his touch of forgiveness.
Jesus often physically touched the outcast and broken. Human touch can often melt away shame. Jesus wants us to experience his touch of forgiveness and cleansing.
Drink deeply of his Spirit.
In John 4 we read the familiar story about the woman at the well. When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for water, he crossed many barriers: rabbis did not talk to women, Jews did not talk to Samaritans, and Jews did not contaminate themselves by eating or drinking with non-Jews. He offered her life-giving water from his Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit can wash away our shame as it did for this woman.
Feast at his table of acceptance in the church community.
After Peter denied Jesus, he felt deeply ashamed. Yet, after Jesus’ resurrection and after Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him, he had a meal with Peter and the other disciples which pictured his being welcomed back into community. Shame can melt away when we experience real community in the church.
Shame stings, but it need not be deadly. Although people and circumstances around us may still shame us (and it hurts), Christ can release us from its destructive power.
For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:6)
What has helped people you know deal with their shame?
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
