It is absolutely impossible to know exactly how a person who is going through shame feels, except you are going through the same thing, or you have been through that exact kind of situation.
Shame bows the head of a person when it ought to be lifted and it silences the voice of its victim, when it ought to be heard. Its poison weakens the strongest of men and clouds the sight of its victim
A lot of times, people make a joke out of the shame of other people, not considering how they would feel if the same thing happens to them. A Biblical example of someone who made the shame of another person a joke is Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife .
1 SAMUEL 1: 2
And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children…
1 SAMUEL 1: 6-7
“And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.”
From the account of this story, Hannah had to endure the reproach that had become a part of her daily living, considering that she woke up to begin the day with the provocation from her rival, and she went to bed every night hearing the same words of reproach from the same woman.
Hannah’s story is such that ended well, because at the end of it all, her shame was turned to fame and her mourning was turned into dancing. This is as a result of her resilience and her desire to experience a change, despite the unpleasant attitude of her adversary.(1 SAMUEL 2)
Unfortunately, not everyone survives the period of shame. Some allow the words of other people deprive them of the glory that comes after the moment of shame. As mild as the word “fat'” sounds, it has brought shame to some and caused them to commit suicide. As unreasonable as this may sound, it remains the truth and there are true life stories that prove it.
I know of someone who attempted suicide just because someone called her a failure. This only proves how much our words or actions can break or build others. There is however not an excuse for giving in to shame, it is an emotion that must be handled with a strong desire for a change for the better.
Just like Hannah, there is a need to cry out to God for help out of every improper and ridiculous situation that makes us ashamed.
Giving up on life, like some people do is not an healthy way out of shame. It is actually a cowardly and destructive way out, and God is not pleased with such ways. Judas did just that, after he had betrayed Jesus. The guilt and shame of his action blinded his eyes and he chose to give up on life, but that did not change the situation of things, neither did it make God forgive him for his wrong doings.(MATTHEW 27: 5-8)
Saying the wrong things or becoming bitter as a result of the present state of shame is also unacceptable, because our words are powerful and should be properly guarded.
GENESIS 30:1
“And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.”
Giving in to shame is a choice, but you can choose to make the best use of this emotion by embracing the truth in God’s Word instead.
ISAIAH 50:7
“For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”
Believing so much in yourself or other people is the pathway to shame, because you cannot take God out of the equation and get the best result. Trusting absolutely in God however is a sure path out of shame.
ROMANS 10:11
“As Scripture says, Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Make the best use of the emotion- Shame, by believing in the One who never fails, mock or abandon His own.
Author Profile
- Temitope is the founder of thesoulmeal.com, an online platform that she shares with her God-given spiritual family and friends. She is a speaker, teacher and youth counselor. She is passionate about inspiring people to find their identity in Christ. Catch her interviewing inspiring leaders on Tongue of the Learned Podcast
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