Do you feel like you never quite measure up? Do you automatically feel guilty when something goes wrong, even when it may not be your fault?

Do you have trouble accepting God’s love, grace, and forgiveness?

If someone is sad, mad, or upset…you usually assume that you have done something to make them feel that way?
    Experts have termed this as living by a “shame based  identity”. In other words, it is as if our basic view of life is that  “It is always my fault and I’m guilty”. What causes you to feel that way? It could be several things that can contribute to this…Some suggest it may be due to your childhood, where you grew up in an environment of fear and shame due the overriding feeling you were never “ good enough.”  It can also be a result of other dysfunctional relationships and experiences.  Regardless of it’s origin, the good news you don’t have to be chained to the past emotionally.

    Through redefining our personal faith in what Christ did for us and realizing He loves us unconditionally we can expeirence the peace of God regardless of the pain of the past. The key is to focus more on what God thinks of you than feelings of shame:

1. You are forgiven. “No one whose hope in You will ever be put to shame.” (Psalm 25:3 NIV)

2. You are His regardless of your feelings of failure and guilt. “As far as the east is from the west,, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103: 12 NIV)

3. You don’t have to live in the past. ” Do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth.” (Isaiah 54:4 NIV)

    As you and I continually think about God’s grace, we realize that God really loves us, and our personal relationship with Him becomes our true source of our self-esteem and identity. You and I are not a mistake but a reflection of God’s grace.