Freedom From Shame

Have you ever experienced the feelings of shame? Feelings of not being enough, feelings of unworthiness, feelings like you have just messed up too many times, feelings like you want to hide under a rock?

I have felt shame most of my life without fully understanding what it was and it was crushing me and caused myself and my loved ones a lot of pain. It caused me to experience poor mental health, it held me back from the growth I desired in my life and it stopped me from being who Christ created me to be. It stopped me from glorifying Him with my life because in shame I am too concerned of what others might think of me and so I shrink.

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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 were healed.

Jesus bore my shame on the cross so I could be free from it.

Learning about my sin and shame is important to me because when I recognize its weight, I have a greater appreciation for the gift of salvation, the magnitude of Jesus resurrection power and the promise of eternity with Jesus in Heaven.

So where does shame come from and how is it hurtful? Above I shared some ways shame was hurting me but I want to take that a little further, lets learn a little more about shame together.

Unresolved shame can be passed down through generations as it embeds in our DNA until someone decides to transform the unresolved trauma through salvation and the healing of Jesus.

Shame is held in the body in the chest, stomach and throat and can manifest in health issues in these areas of the body.

Shame can cause bad posture.

Shame causes us to be silent and hide. As we suppress who we are, because of shame, we are unable to have authentic connections with others. This increases feelings of isolation and aloneness and perpetuates feelings of shame.

Shame causes the brain to react as though it were in physical danger, this activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers our defense response of fight, flight or freeze. When our nervous system is overstimulated it can cause weight gain, body aches and pains, chest pain, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness and weak immunity. Behavioural symptoms can include eating disorders, nervous habits, isolating yourself, relaying on substances to relax and avoiding responsibilities.

Shame activates striving as a way to prove value and worth. Striving exerts so much energy with little to no rest, that burnout is inevitable. If the strived for goal is not achieved perfectly, then shame is activated and the goal is given up on as the pursuer believes they are unworthy of achieving it. If the goal is achieved, it does not produce the desired feeling of fulfillment, joy and peace, that is the root goal of someone suffering from shame and shame is again activated out of confusion for not achieving the desired feeling.

In an attempt to escape shame, it can cause us to control, manipulate or people please.

Shame makes everything your responsibility.

Shame makes everything your fault.

This is a life crushing weight. Under the weight of shame there can be no life and growth.

This list is a combination of research and lived experience under the authority of shame. Praise Jesus I am free from shame through faith in Him, that He died on the cross for my sins and shame.

I share this because awareness is so important to receiving freedom. This post is a “call out”, to the lie shame is telling you, that you are flawed and there is no way out. Do not believe that friend, there is a way out and His name is Jesus and He loves you.

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

If you feel you are suffering from shame and you are seeking freedom from this burden, Jesus is the answer. I would love to talk with you and walk with you on your journey, send me an email heatherlapier@gmail.com. You are loved and you don’t need to stay where you are.

I am living on the other side of shame, walking with Jesus in salvation, experiencing growth, peace, joy and fulfillment in my everyday life. The Lord loves us too much to leave us where we are.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Abundant life is available to you today, are you ready to receive it?!

xo Heather