Are you drawn to “before” and “after” pictures? I am.
Maybe it’s because they give me hope that I can be transformed! I like
the TV show What Not to Wear for this reason.
The two hosts, Clinton and Stacy, find an average woman who needs help
with her appearance and surprise her with a complete head to toe makeover. I
find it entertaining that these women often think they have it “going on” in
the fashion department, despite what’s obvious to everybody else. Stacy and Clinton, with a little humor and a
large dose of truth, begin by giving her a reality check about her choice of
clothes. They say things like, “that short skirt is sending the wrong
message”…or “this big shirt hides your cute figure”. After showing her what NOT to wear, they show
her the styles that would enhance her identity and offer her a $5000 shopping
spree. But before she can shop for her
new wardrobe, she has to throw away all of her old clothes! Surprisingly, she might be reluctant to part
with her outdated styles, or might break the new fashion rules when left to
shop on her own. By the end of the show,
she has discarded the unattractive “before” look and surprises her family and
friends with a beautiful “after”.
Each of us have a similar story; there’s a “before” we met
Christ, and an “after”. We have
experienced a spiritual makeover with a new wardrobe, a robe of
righteousness. But we don’t always feel
righteous. Sometimes instead we feel
humiliated and embarrassed by our pasts.
The Bible refers to this as Shame.
- Shame can be a result of things done to us. If you have experienced any form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, it is not uncommon to feel in some way it was your fault. This can lead to shame.
- We can also experience shame when things are done for us. It’s not always easy to receive help. If you've ever stood in a line for food, clothing, or housing assistance, you may be familiar with what it feels like to despise your neediness and feel shame.
- Finally,
shame can be a result of things done by us; things we live to regret. For
example, our past sins may lead us to feel shame. Many women who
have had an abortion or struggle with overeating know what this feels like. And although there are consequences for sin, when we put on shame it is the wrong thing to wear.
Are you struggling with feelings of shame from things in
your past? If so, God wants to help
remove that and instill in you a confidence that you are loved despite your
past.
Israel struggled with shame and insecurity, even though
loved and chosen by God to be His bride.
Her shame was a result of things done to her in Egypt; in her youth she had been a victim of
slavery. But, later Israel experienced
shame by something done by her; she committed adultery by following after other
gods. In both cases, God reassured her
of his faithfulness to her as her husband.
“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace
for you. You will no longer remember the
shame of your youth (Egypt) and the sorrows of widowhood (Idolatry). For your
Creator will be your husband; the LORD of Heaven’s Armies is his name!" (Isaiah 54: 4-6) God didn’t want Israel to live in shame.
Like many of you, I didn’t know that I had a problem with
shame. It was actually quite a surprise
that shame and pain from rejection early in my childhood were at the root of
some emotional problems I was experiencing as an adult. I experienced freedom when I confessed the
feelings of pain and shame to God, just like I would confess my sin.
Isaiah 53 4-5 says, Surely he took up our pain and bore our
suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and
afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our
transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought
us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Have you ever thought of bringing Jesus your pain and
suffering and asking him to carry it for you?
So many things are just too big for us to handle. But he can and wants to…be our Savior in
every sense of the word.
The Cinderella fairy tale provides such a vivid picture
of what this experience can be
like. Like so many women, Cinderella
was dressed in shame from abuse, transformed and seen for her true beauty, but
then returned to her gown of slavery.
She was unconvinced the Prince would love her if he knew her past. But
Prince Charming searched for Cinderella, and when he saw her in her true
condition, he still loved her.
That’s like Jesus…He’s seen our true beauty and is not
content to watch us cover it up with shame.
He will pursue us until we allow Him to place the lost slipper back on
our foot and live like the royalty we are.
It doesn't matter what people say about us, or how we feel, what matters
is the truth God speaks. He says in
Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus.”
Far too many of us Sistahs are feeling dirty, worthless and
ashamed of ourselves. It’s no way to
live! Not when Jesus has already taken
the punishment, pain and shame on your behalf, and keeps pursuing you.
What are you choosing to wear that doesn't belong in your
wardrobe anymore? Are you feeling shame
about something done to you (you were a victim of domestic violence, you
experienced sexual abuse as a child, your husband left for someone else, you
were fired from your job, you weren't liked by your peers), by you (you cheated
on your taxes, had an abortion, lied about a friend, gossiped), or for you
(needed help to pay rent, went on public assistance)? Take some time today, get alone in prayer,
and imagine Jesus on the cross. Can you
picture His face? Set that shawl of
shame you've wrapped around your life at the foot of the cross, and ask Him to
take it. His suffering accomplished more
than forgiving your sin – He also came to give you a happily-ever-after with
Him. If the slipper fits, wear it!
~ Marsha Craig and Laurel Bahr
