Shame Is A Liar

Shame: 1. A. a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming or impropriety B. The susceptibility of such emotion 2. a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute 3. A. something that brings censure or reproach B. A cause of feeling shame

One of the many things that I have learned in recovery is that shame is a liar. Shame traps us in hopelessness, victimhood, and doubt, convincing us that we are unworthy. Shame tells us that we cannot overcome our circumstances. It whispers in our ear that everything is our fault. It screams that we aren’t deserving. Shame has the ability to hold us back in every area of our life, convincing us that we have nothing to live for. We must overcome those walls and limiting beliefs.

We must recover and overcome boldly. We must be louder than our shame. Why? Because shame hides in the face of truth, and the truth is we are bold. We are brave. We are worthy. We are loved. We are beautiful. We are important. Our voices matter. Our stories matter. We can make a difference…in our lives and the lives of others.

The experiences that we have lived through did not happen to us so that we could cower in shame. They happened for us to build us up, to strengthen us, to provide us with the tools and experience we need to change lives. To change our lives. To change other's lives. Our journey was not one of destruction, but one of construction. Building us up for greatness. Building us up to live in our purpose. Building us up to use our stories to help others!

Recovery is a constant battle in every sense, but knowing our worth and being aware of the things that will trigger us is vital. Shame is going to attempt to weasel its way in again, so we must be ready. Living authentically in our purpose, helping others, investing in ourselves, purposeful of a positive mindset, writing and stating affirmations, reading self development books, journaling... all of these are helpful, but most importantly - we must stay consistent and vigilant in our recovery because it is easy to fall victim to complacency.

Some of my favorite bible verses when shame is creeping its way in:

1 John 1:5 And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. (God is light. When we bring our shame out into the open, His healing light can work in us.)

Romans: 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (All of us, our past and our future, can be worked for good in His purpose for us.)

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed... (The freed have the ability to lead others to freedom.)

Have you been the victim of shame and limiting beliefs? What can I do to help you become a victor and overcome?