Are you ashamed?

Shame is unfortunately a very common feeling. Many “A Miracle Every Day” readers have told me about it in recent months. Here’s a short excerpt from one of the emails I’ve received:

“When I’m at the end of my rope, I give in to the temptation of masturbation and pornography. I’d love to get out of it. I want to cry sometimes. I’m ashamed of the wrong I’m doing to God.”

Shame is a powerful emotion. It leads us to withdraw from those we love. Hide from the Lord. It’s often accompanied by guilt and fear. These are the same feelings that led Adam and Eve to hide from God after they had sinned.

We can be ashamed for many different reasons:

• Addiction to pornography, alcohol, gambling, etc.
• Cheating on your spouse in thoughts or actions
• Our social background
• Our past
• Our education
• Failure
• Etc.   

There are many reasons for being ashamed, and it’s a feeling we all experience at some point. If you’re feeling ashamed right now and are struggling to draw near to God, I’d like to encourage you not to turn away from Him.

On the contrary, simply draw near to God, right now, in humility. Let Him search your soul, your heart, your mind. Don’t hide…don’t hide any longer.

God sees you no matter what happens…He sees you as you are. He sees your situation. And He doesn’t reject you. In Romans 8:38-39, we read, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (the Bible, NLT)

Nothing will ever separate you from God’s love. NOTHING. Neither death nor life…no circumstance can separate you from Him. In reality, the only person who can take you away from God is you, when you deliberately choose to distance yourself from Him.

Don’t take a step back…take two steps forward! Run into His arms, cry, confess your sins to Him, and go forward with Him!

God is the God of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Do not turn away, but draw near to Him, albeit on your knees, with a heart filled with repentance. He’s waiting for you, ready to remove your shame.