Your story is your testimony. Your story is the chronicle of tests, battles, failures, and victories that define you. May I challenge you to own your story. God has a purpose and vision for your life if you will surrender to Him and authentically acquiesce to His sovereign plan over your past, present, and future.
Own your Story
Shame from our past is broken when we own our story. Most of us have spent our lives running from it. Most of us are ashamed of certain episodes of our life: the hidden sexual abuse, abortion, rape, embezzlement, cheating… We think about it often with a combination of guilt and condemnation. It shackles us emotionally and spiritually.
But I want to say from experience and my understanding of God and His Word, it’s only when we embrace our story—the good and bad—that we truly get set free from shame. Is it risky? Yes. But not nearly as difficult as spending the rest of our lives running from the effects of shame.
You are Beloved
At His baptism, Jesus heard His Father say, “You are My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 12:18; 17:5). In my dark night of the soul eight years ago, as I contemplated my shamefulness, this verse lit up my heart. I realized what I had known in my mind, but had missed with my heart, I also was His beloved son.
It takes bravery to say, “I am beloved in Christ.” But it’s when we say it with our mouth and believe it with our heart that shame is broken over our life.
The darkness of shame is a little less dark when we allow the light of Christ to invade our heart by believing “I am beloved in Christ.” Say it right now. Believe it right now. Keep saying it when the lies of shame come. You will then discover the infinite power of your new identity.
Pastor Steve
