Broken, Yet Free. Working on Being Unashamed
Over the past five years, my husband and I have been on a journey of healing from brokenness. It's amazing how you can accept the forgiveness of God, and yet remain ashamed of who you were. I guess that's not really accepting forgiveness then is it? Believing that God's grace is sufficient means clothing yourself in His Truth, where you can stand before Him and the world unashamed.
When I started reading Unashamed: Healing our Brokenness and Finding Freedom From Shame, I realized that my shame patterns go back so much further than recent sins. I picked it up to skim, and couldn't put it down. It was refreshing, life giving, and sweet gentle truth that I needed to hear.
I received a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
We all Struggle with Feelings of Shame
People are always coming and going from my home. I'm not a stellar housekeeper, and I'm good with that until I start seeing my home through the eyes of others. Now, I'm not a mind reader, so I really don't know what they're thinking. I can however project shame from them onto myself. Are my guests really thinking: "She has a crumb in the carpet. I can't even believe it."
Why do I give people the power to unknowingly shame me?
I've been on a shame harboring journey for a long time. Who wasn't in those awkward teen years? I was not the best looking, the trend setter, or the lead anything. My go-to responses to feelings of inadequacy were hiding, avoiding, and indulging. It didn't take long to become guarded in my interactions with others. I was seeking security from an audience that was incapable to give it to me.
Thankfully, I hope I'm not nearly as awkward as I was then. Yet, the residual effects of focusing on what others thought of me still gripped my heart. Until I changed my perspective on who I was aiming to please, my shame would remain like a thick fog.
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Little Children Start off Unashamed
Looking back at pictures of me when I was younger, I don't see the same look of shame clouding my vision. My hair was crazy frizzy, I put olives all on my fingers at family gatherings, and I had the best big sister in the world. Life was good. I lived uninhibited by what others thought of me. Joy and confidence abounded.
It wasn't really because my theology was so much better back then. I just hadn't been introduced to the brokenness that comes from living in a fallen world. Ignorance can be bliss...but I think there's something even better.
Redemption Brings Beauty
True freedom comes from being clothed with the imperishable beauty of Christ. Just like Adam and Eve, when Christ rescued us from our sins, He gave us better clothing to cover our shame - Himself. What a beautiful picture.
Heather Nelson recommends reading the book of Ruth to see the picture of a woman who refused to accept the shame that her situation warranted. She chose to see herself not in light of her situation, but in light of her Savior. What a beautiful picture of freedom.
Don't Miss This Book
No matter where you are in your journey of trusting in the Lord, it's always good to continue stripping off the lies the world throws at us. This book is such a blessing that you don't want to miss. Buy a copy on Amazon, or enter to win one for free below.
Even better, read it with friends. Shame only grows when those feelings are kept in the dark. As we bring to light some of our deepest feelings of inadequacy, their power overs us weakens. Everyone needs community, and good safe friends to share life with!
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per
Betsy Strauss is an unexpected homeschooler, mother of three, who is in a relationship with a sweet man for life. She loves reading books, drinking coffee, and learning anything with her kids.