shame

Opening Prayer: In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.  (Psalm 31:1)

Scripture: Psalm 31:1-24

Journal: What effect does shame have on your life?  In what way does it typically manifest itself?  What tends to trigger it?  What does it lead to?  How do you fight it?

Reflection:  The scriptures talk a lot about shame.  In fact, the word shame (buwsh) is used 34 times in the book of Psalms alone, so obviously it is considered a significant issue in the life of faith.  The psalmists pray regularly that they might not be put to shame and that they will be delivered from shame.  They obviously know the devastating effects that shame can have on the heart and soul.

     Shame is a tool of the enemy.  It causes us to be the absolute worst version of ourselves.  When God breathed the world into being there was no shame.  In fact, the first time the word is mentioned is in Genesis 2:25 when it tells us that the man and the woman in the garden were both naked and they felt no shame.  It wasn’t until the fall (Genesis 3:1-11) that shame reared its ugly head.  And as soon as it did, Adam and Eve went from being “naked and unashamed” to being “afraid because they were naked so they hid.”  What a radical difference!  They went from being completely known and completely loved to being full of fear, hiding, and covering.  And it has been that way ever since.  We now live in shame, but we long for a life where we can be naked and unashamed once again.

    So what is it about shame that makes it so harmful to life with God?  Maybe it would be good to define exactly what shame is, as well as what it is not.  You see, shame is not “I have done something wrong,” that is guilt.  And guilt—the godly sorrow that leads to repentance of 2 Corinthians 7:10—can be a fruitful thing in the life of the Spirit.  Shame, on the other hand, is not fruitful at all.  Shame is not “I’ve done something wrong,” shame is “I am something wrong.”  There is an enormous difference.  Shame causes the “image of God” that we were created in to be a distant memory.  It rules and controls and consumes us with its lies and accusations.  It blurs our vision and keeps us from being able to see accurately.  It besieges our soul—our identity in Christ—with a constant barrage of hostile, anxious, degrading, and destructive inner dialogue that overwhelms, consumes, and demoralizes us.  Shame is one of the biggest enemies of the spiritual life.  But my guess is that you already know that all too well.

    I don’t know how shame rears its ugly head in your life, but I’m painfully aware of how it does so in mine.  I think that’s why I find the words of this ancient prayer so incredibly helpful.  They give me words with which to battle my shame.  They give me images of my God that allow me to find refuge and strength, even when I feel like I am being attacked from all sides.  They remind me of what God and how he really feels about me (in Christ).  O God, be my refuge, strength, and deliverer.  Be a strong fortress to save me from the effects of fear and shame.  This day and every day.  Amen.

Prayer

Closing Prayer:  How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.

    Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.  In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. (Psalm 31:19-22, NIV)