Free from Shame—Two2Grow, Saturday, September 12
Free from Shame—Two2Grow, Saturday, September 12
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:5 NIV
Shame is a powerful enemy that seeks to take control of our lives.
I know Sophia (not her real name) very well. When she was left alone with three children after her husband chose a younger woman, she was gripped by a powerful spirit of shame at having been ditched. The shame was so overwhelming that she found it difficult to tell others what had happened, and she withdrew from the people around her. But Sophia is a prayerful person. One day, while seeking the Lord, she had a powerful encounter with God. Jesus came to her. He told her that he had taken her shame upon himself when he died the disgraceful death on the cross. Sophia testifies how this gave her a new understanding of what salvation means. The spirit of shame was broken in that moment, and the Holy Spirit gave her a new boldness to face herself and others. Now she walks with her head held high, can share her life story without shame, and has led many others into greater freedom.
Shame is a normal human emotion, but there can also be a spirit of shame that seeks to control us.
A spirit of shame can be crippling and make us isolate ourselves. So, like Sophia, we need a revelation of how Jesus broke the power of shame on the cross.
Jesus, thank you for breaking the spirit of shame in my life. Holy Spirit, reveal the cross to me so that I can serve and love others in freedom. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD
Shame is a powerful enemy that seeks to take control of our lives.
I know Sophia (not her real name) very well. When she was left alone with three children after her husband chose a younger woman, she was gripped by a powerful spirit of shame at having been ditched. The shame was so overwhelming that she found it difficult to tell others what had happened, and she withdrew from the people around her. But Sophia is a prayerful person. One day, while seeking the Lord, she had a powerful encounter with God. Jesus came to her. He told her that he had taken her shame upon himself when he died the disgraceful death on the cross. Sophia testifies how this gave her a new understanding of what salvation means. The spirit of shame was broken in that moment, and the Holy Spirit gave her a new boldness to face herself and others. Now she walks with her head held high, can share her life story without shame, and has led many others into greater freedom.
Shame is a normal human emotion, but there can also be a spirit of shame that seeks to control us.
A spirit of shame can be crippling and make us isolate ourselves. So, like Sophia, we need a revelation of how Jesus broke the power of shame on the cross.
Jesus, thank you for breaking the spirit of shame in my life. Holy Spirit, reveal the cross to me so that I can serve and love others in freedom. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD