Freedom From Shame
Maybe you’re still carrying around “baggage” from something that happened in the past, or perhaps it’s a situation that you’ve just found yourself in that has you plagued with guilt and shame. The reality is that it does not matter when it occurred. The point is no one is immune to it. It reaches in and attacks the very core of who we are, often times dragging our sense of self worth down with it. I’m speaking of guilt, but more importantly, I am referring to shame. Trust me, there is a difference in the two.
Heather Davis Nelson speaks to the heart and soul in her book “Un-Ashamed – Healing Our Brokenness and Finding Freedom From Shame.”
Shame can come from any where; often times from how you feel about your body, difficult situations you may have encountered with a boss or coworker, or even something that happened in a relationship you were involved in. Other times, it can be something that was forced upon you, and now you are having to live with the aftermath. Extreme shame is also someone’s constant companion if they have a secret sin they are trying to keep hidden.
Ms. Nelson utilizes Brene Brown’s books in order to put her work in a biblical framework, and she explains that she does so since we live in a fallen world. Ms. Nelson strives to address the topic of shame with hope!
Allow me to quote directly from the pages of the book as the words speak volumes:
“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging,” writes Brene Brown.
“Brown writes: ‘The majority of shame researchers and clinicians agree that the difference between shame and guilt is best understood as the difference between ‘I am bad’ and ‘I did something bad.’ Guilt = I did something bad. Shame = I am bad.’ Guilt is associated with actions while shame taints your entire identity.”
“Ed Welch, a professor and counselor at the Christian Counseling an Education Foundation (CCEF), fills this out in the following ways: “Guilt can be hidden; shame feels like it is always exposed.”
Let me just stop right there and say THIS is SO true! I know this section at the very beginning of her book spoke to my heart! This was just in the first few pages, too! Imagine what the rest of the book has in store – oh, you’re going to want to soak and bask in it!
Not convinced yet?
Allow me to share a little more, would you:
“To expunge guilt, confession and forgiveness are needed. Eradicating shame calls for a deep and pervasive antidote, one that will strike shame at its roots and transform the way you think about who you are and the relationships in your life.”
“We wear shame like a shield, hiding who we know ourselves to be and protecting ourselves from whom we fear others could be.”
Wow!
Now let me share something that brought hope forth out of these passages:
“Through union with Christ you are clothed with honor rather than shame, made part of a community to which you will always belong, and given a kingdom that cannot be taken away.”
I have been engrossed in this book so much that my daughter came in the other day when I was reading it inquiring as to the content. I shared some of it with her, and she would like to read this book after I’m finished with it. I’m telling you – everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from the wisdom that is imparted in this book.
Please enter our giveaway to have your very own copy of this book sent directly to your door. Even if you’re not struggling with any form of shame currently but know of someone that may be going through something like this, you could win this book in our giveaway to pass on to them. That’s food for thought. Some one out there NEEDS to hear the message this book brings forth! Won’t you enter?
Freedom from shame!
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per
