“Shame is a soul eating emotion”

This is what CG Jung says about shame. As a young adult I heard a minister speaking to a group of women of God's grace and he said, "divorce is not an unforgivable sin." I remember a lady sitting nearby had been waiting years to hear these words. How many times have we carried shame around? Sometimes for years. Some may still be carrying that same shame most of their life.

Another lady that comes to mind had five failed marriages and decided not to marry any more of the men in her life. She went to the well in the heat of the day to hide from others comments, looks and whispers. There was a powerful man who used his power to sleep with another man's wife. He got her pregnant. His shame caused him to try to hide behind a cover up that turned murderous. Another lady had bled for twelve years so she felt unclean. Her shame kept her from wanting to ask Jesus to heal her in front of a crowd. She hid in the crowd and just touched the fringe of his robe. Sounds like a trashy novel, huh? It is just a few examples from the Bible.

Just like these three biblical people who tried to hide their shame in the wrong places we do the same. There are times when I believe we are to experience shame. It helps us learn the feelings of right or wrong. When we have dishonored God we are to have shame. But we are not to have shame for too long. Our unbelief in God's promise that his grace is sufficient will feed that shame and let it continue to grow. We must fight for faith that we will be forgiven. 1 John 1: 9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Acts 10: 43, "All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

There is no where to run or hide from your shame except Jesus. He will make us guiltless and promises us that His grace will be sufficient. Acts 3: 19, "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out..."

The woman at the well had listened to Jesus and believed in him. Her faith healed her and Jesus took her shame. King David finally confessed his sin and repented and trusted that he was forgiven. The hemorrhaging woman told the crowd about her shame and she received healing and cleansing. All three were able to get rid of their shame through Jesus Christ! He can do the same for us!