Happy Faith Friday, Garden Fam! 💕
According to Jeremiah 5:1, God knew us before He formed us in our mother’s wombs and according to John 15:16, He has appointed each of us to go forth and produce fruit. As such, each of us has been given unique gifts to fulfill a specific purpose and contribute to the Kingdom of God in a special way. Unfortunately, the enemy often uses our experiences, some of the very experiences that have actually prepared us, to cause us to feel counted out, disqualified, or unworthy of walking out our callings. When shame enters the picture, we can often be tempted to abandon our gifts, purpose, or assignments altogether. However, we must press forth to do what God created us to do, in the fullness of which He called us to do it. Don’t let your shame deprive people of the gifts and knowledge God has placed in you to help them!
The world needs YOU and what you have to offer.
If you find yourself shrinking back from being who you are or doing what God has called you to do, today’s video is for you! I pray you’ll be encouraged and set free 🙏🏾
I love you bunches!
Have a healthy & wholesome weekend 💖
Video Notes
What is Shame?
a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.
Distress = extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
How Does Shame Affect Our Lives?
Shame may cause one to...
Avoid relationships, vulnerability, and community
Not sharing your true self
Suppress emotions
Keeping your thoughts and feelings to yourself
Feel worthless, depressed, and anxious
Avoid healthy risks
Only making moves that you are 100% certain will end well to avoid the possibility of others having negative views of you
Revisit unhealthy or unfruitful behaviors
Shame affects your ability to believe that you can be healed and that you can make positive changes
What Does the Bible Say about Shame?
Bible Characters that overcame shame
Elizabeth — Luke 1:5-25
Her shame was not caused by her own sin or shortcomings, but rather a curse of barrenness
Shame was removed from her, so that they could birth the purpose God planned for them (ie. their son, John the Baptist)
Takeaways
Don’t believe that what you DON’T have will hold you back from fulfilling the purpose and assignment God has for you.
With your YES, God will fulfill what He planned for you and remove shame from you.
Paul — Acts 9:1-22 and Acts 26:12-23
Was literally killing Christians until Jesus called Him into ministry
He did what Jesus told him to do and immediately after began teaching the gospel
Paul wasted no time. He dove into the work and became one of the most influential preachers in the Bible
Takeaways
God has a plan for each of us
It requires us to answer the call, go through the preparation process He has laid out, and go forth and do the work!
Your previous identity does not disqualify you. In fact, it may position you to reach communities others may not have been able to reach due to your experiences and perspective.
Peter — Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75 & John 21:15-17
Jesus’ disciple who denied knowing Him 3x after Jesus’ arrest.
He was ashamed of what he had done, but Jesus later returned and restored Peter, calling him back to the work he was commissioned to do
Takeaways
God will restore you, dust you off, and clean you up, so that you can be sent off into your ordained destiny.
When he does, allow your heart to receive His forgiveness and release the shame so that you can do what He has commissioned you to do!
Jesus focused on the assignment at hand when restoring Peter, reminding him of those who were in need of his obedience to the call.
Don’t let your shame deprive people of the gifts and knowledge God has placed in you to help them!
Scriptural Affirmations to Combat Shame
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for every person watching!
Thank you that you have blessed us with all spiritual blessings and that you chose us before the foundation of the world.
Thank you for making us who we are, for each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made.
Help our souls to know the truth about what you say about us.
Thank you for your promise to forgive our confessed sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
Please help our hearts to receive your forgiveness and to forgive ourselves so that we may go forth and do what you have called us to do.
Lord, when shame and fear try to pop up in our thoughts, help us to remember that you have not given us the spirit of fear or timidity, but of love, power, and of a sound mind.
Thank you for everything you have for us and for giving us the strength and courage to go out and pursue them, knowing that you are always with us.
We love you, we honor you, and we praise you!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
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