Hello,
I’ve been thinking about SHAME - and the things we do to cover it up or dull its pain. We make VOWS that we … won’t get hurt again, won’t let so’nso do that to us again. Words like “Shame on you” become a curse. We get ADDICTED to whatever suits our weakness - like gambling, alcohol, pills, sex.
We may go along seemingly well - at least for a while. But life either speeds along screaming in first gear, or we slowly grind down. Our head and shoulders hang down. If hopeless enough, we get ‘beat’, ’give up’, or ‘blow’.
What LIE or LIES have we brought into?
What happened earlier in our lives (as kids or just yesterday) that we didn’t understand, or allowed ourselves to take the blame for?
What is the SITUATION where that LIE began?
If you believe in PRAYER, ask GOD to show that SITUATION and the LIE to you. Then, what is HIS TRUTH and HIS PERSPECTIVE?
We need to put away the lie and put on the truth. Need to do both. Then we need to live in that truth. I believe GOD helps us to do this - helps to regroove the groove. We can get into patterns of ways of doing things - we need to think and believe differently about a situation or an issue in order to behave differently. Sometimes it takes practice (and momentary ‘failure’ with self-correction?) to get it right.
To live without SHAME means we don’t need to erupt or react badly in situations where our image or reputation comes under scutiny. We will not be competitive, a perfectionist, or be busy propping up a mask to protect our real selves. We will have freedom of choice, be able to talk about and solve problems, and live happily with our human imperfections.
Blessings, not curses, be yours.
Johanna
Hamilton, NZ