It Starts Small

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

What is shame?

Shame is agonising.

Shame is an unbearable weight.

Shame is burdensome.

Shame is heavy.

Shame is extra and unnecessary baggage we carry and it is exhausting.

I hope to this point you have been able to identify areas in your heart that you are carry that is shame. Anything outside the identity of Christ is not your true identity. Remember, guilt says you lied. SHame says you are a liar and you begin to identify yourself not through Christ, but that you are a liar. Christ has forgiven you of being a liar and no longer calls you as a sinner, so why do you call yourself things of your past?

Take time today to think about how shame, the burden of carrying your past, as weighed you down. How has it impacted the following:

Faith

Mental Health

Sleep

Relationships

Work or Study

Confidence

Joy

Let us read the verse again, but I am going to post it in the Message translation. Read it Slowey and a few times. Read it with anticipation that God will speak to you and guide your thoughts.

^28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30

Was there a word(s) or Phrase(s) that speaks deeply to you? Why?

WHat is God calling you to do in prayer today? Is that burden worth holding on to? Is it time to let go of your past, fully let go, and step into the here and now with Christ?

Shame Part 1: Where are you?
Shame Part 2: The Naked Truth
SHame Part 3: Enough Already
Shame Part 4: Jars of Clay
Shame Part 5: Weight Watchers
Shame Part 6: Death to Selfie
Shame Part 7: Empowered by Empathy
Shame Part 8: Scorning Shame