Matthew 11:28-30, "'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'"
Romans 8:1-2, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Isaiah 53:5, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Shame can be a powerful and destructive force in our lives, causing us to feel like we are the mistake and that we have let ourselves and God down. It can be self-imposed, as we beat ourselves up for not living up to our own expectations or the expectations of others. It can also be shoveled onto us by others, as they try to make us feel small or unworthy.
But the good news is that we don't have to live under the burden of shame. Jesus came to set us free from the law of sin and death and to offer us forgiveness and the opportunity to be reconciled with God. On the cross, Jesus took on the shame that was meant for us, offering us the chance to be free from shame and to live in the freedom of God's grace.
To break the cycle of shame, we must humble ourselves before God, be open and vulnerable before Him, and take responsibility for our mistakes. We must also seek to keep short accounts with God, confessing our mistakes and seeking His forgiveness as soon as possible.
In the end, it's important to remember that we have a choice: we can choose to live under the burden of shame, or we can choose to live in the freedom of God's grace. May we all choose grace and be free from the shackles of shame. Remember, Jesus is always there to offer us rest and to take on our burdens. He is gentle and humble in heart, and when we turn to Him, we will find rest for our souls.
Be open and confess your mistakes and sins. He will forgive you. Allow His mercy to wash you clean. Accept His goodness and graciousness.
Jesus, I believe You are good and today I humble myself. I admit my failures and accept Your grace and mercy. I believe You paid for all of my sins. Thank You for paying for my freedom from shame. Amen.