She quickly walked outdoors. Fighting back the tears and gasping for more air than her lungs would allow; as if she fiercely needed to replace the current air in her.  To feel the warm sun on her skin and the mid morning cool breeze. Just to feel something different. To change her mind. To get out. 

Nevertheless, it followed her. Always following her.

In the hallway kitchen, as she cooked a warm breakfast, it was there. In the garden, by the calla lilies, it was there. In the laundry room, with the smell of fabric softener, it was there too. 

The overwhelming. The shame. The onslaught of negative thoughts that threatened to beat her down in her own house. 

photo source

Words. Horrible words. Words that had been spoken to her by strangers, friends and even loved ones. And worse yet, the words she spoke to herself. 

It bellowed loudly, “You are not enough.”, “If you were skinnier, he would have stayed.”, “You fail as a mother.”, “You are a hypocrite.”, “You are selfish.”

Do I need to continue with this list? Word after word. Thought after thought. Guilt piled upon guilt. 

The overwhelming. The battlefield in her mind that fights for her strength and security. The humiliation. It wanted to clothe her. 

On that bright sunny day, with it’s warm sun and cool breezes. She cried out, “Lord, my God, please help me.”  

Anyone of you in this same battle? Does shame threaten to clothe you with its heavy dark blanket?

Feeling Overwhelmed with Shame

I have good news for you!! You are NOT who they say you are. You are not who you say you are. You are who God says you are. And HE thinks you are amazing! 

When dealing and healing from these labels let’s remember a few things. 

#1. God is still in control. 

Who is in control? The person that spoke such negative words to us? No! God is in control. Psalm 104. Yes, the whole chapter. Reminds us that God is in control, He set the world on its foundation, and He alone is the source of life. He is still in control. Even during the darkest of moments that we may face, God is in control and He has us in the palm of His hand. We can trust Him.

#2. Who does God say that we are?

     We are a child of God. (John 1:12)
     We are accepted by Christ. (Romans 15:7)
     We are blessed beyond understanding. (Ephesians 1:3)
     We have the peace of God. (Philippians 4:7)
     God wants us. (Ephesians 1:5)
     God’s love for us is amazing. (John 3:16)
     We were created in His image and He loves us for us. 
     Flaws and all. (Psalm 139:14)

This is obviously a short list, but you get my point. Please dive into God’s precious Word and research for yourself who you are to Him. Write these affirmations down. Speak those positive words over yourself everyday!

#3. Fight back 

It’s time to roll up our sleeves my friend and fight back. Let’s Be intentional about our alone time with God. Make this time a priority in your life. Dive deeper into a stronger relationship with our heavenly Father. He is not silent. As you read the bible, let it cleans and affirm your thoughts and soul.

God is Holy. Let’s remember who we are speaking to when we pray. Kneel before Him. Be still. Allow Him to shower you with the thoughts that He has of you. 
  

#4 How much does God really love us?

If we could just fully grasp the amazing love that God has for us, the peace we could live in. The freedom! 

We are lavished with God’s love.

1 John 3:1 NIV

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

God’s love is wide, long, high and deep.  

Ephesians 3:18 (NIV)

^“may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”

If you have a redemption story of God healing you from the negative words of others. Please share in the comments below and let’s praise God together! 

Starla