“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” -Isaiah 61:7

Shame is a universal human emotion. It’s something all of us feel. It’s a lingering feeling that “I don’t belong, I’m not good enough, I’m not smart enough, I’m not attractive enough, I’m not holy enough to fit into the circles I want to be a part of.”

Many of us feel this deep sense of insecurity that “I really am not worthy of being loved and so I need to pretend.” We feel we need to show something that really doesn’t exist so that people don’t see something that would cause them to send us away..

But God loves you no matter what. He will never send you away. You don’t ever need to pretend. Be embraced in his unfailing love and just be you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for loving me just as I am. Help me to see myself as you do. Help me to be secure in your love. Amen.

REFLECTION: How does it lift your sense of insecurity to know God loves you just as you are?