Learning Grace for Shame

➥ Change how you relate to God – Come to Christ personally and regularly as your shame-bearer! Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

➥ Change how you relate to yourself – Be merciful to yourself! James 2:13

When he failed he did nothing other than acknowledge his failure, telling God, “I will never do anything right if you leave me alone; it’s up to you to stop me from falling and correct what is wrong.” After that he no longer worried about his failure. ~ Brother Lawrence

Grace on you! Grace on me!

Change how you relate to God Yourself Others Change how you relate to

1. Tell your shame stories to those you trust! Philippians 2:6-8 (Passion NT) He existed in the form of God, yet he gave no thought to seizing equality with God as his supreme prize. Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human! He humbled himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in his death—a criminal’s death by crucifixion! 1. Tell your shame stories to those you trust!

2. Forgive those who shamed you and let it go! Matthew 18:34-35 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

3. Become a shame lifter! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

Shame giver Hurt people hurt people. Broken people break people. Shattered people shatter people. Damaged people damage people. Wounded people wound people. Bound people bind people. And shamed people shame people. Shame giver

Shame lifter Helped people help people. Rebuilt people build people. Whole people restore people. Loved people love people. Healed people bind up wounds. Freed people lead others to freedom. And graced people give grace. Shame lifter

Let’s get real with God and one another and live in Christ unashamed!