“…you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” -1 Corinthians 6:11

There’s a big difference between guilt and shame. Guilt says what I DID was unworthy, but shame says I AM unworthy, and there’s a big difference.

You see, guilt isn’t always bad. Guilt can drive us to repentance, to say I’m sorry, to reconcile with people. But shame causes us to withdraw and to hide.

Shame reinforces the idea in our hearts that I don’t belong. It’s the despair that, because of who I am, I will never have a proper place with loving people. I’ll never be enough. I have to keep trying harder. The day I give up, I’m totally going to be severed from everyone. Shame says that if people only knew this about me, they wouldn’t really love me.

I want to tell you something: No one sees you deeper than God does. He does not reject you. God says to you, and I say to you, you are worthy, you are loved, and you belong in his kingdom.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am worthy to you, I am loved by you, and I will belong to you for all eternity. Amen.

REFLECTION: How did you feel when you prayed the prayer today?