When Shame Speaks My Name

There are moments that all I seem to be able to remember are the names of the past. Names that whisper over me to remind me of who I was.

Stupid. UNLOVABLE. Clumsy.  ABANDONED. Ugly. UNWANTED. Invisible. UNWORTHY. Dirty. SHAMEFUL. Hateful. ALONE. Sinner.

These are the words, the emotions that plagued my life, my heart. These are the words I would repeat over and over in my head.

Words that expressed who I was. Who I thought I was. Who I was told I was. And sometimes names I still believe describe who I am. Names the enemy loves to taunt me with even today as I write this. I live so often in bondage to shamed-filled thinking. I filter everything through shame.

Today though I will choose to remember that Jesus came. He came to give me a new name. He gave me a new identity. A new life.

And oh what a marvelous name it is!  A beautiful name.

He calls me BELOVED.

And because of Jesus I am very much loved. I am WORTHY. He finds me BEAUTIFUL. I am no longer condemned. I am FORGIVEN.

I am never abandoned for He is always with me. I am WORTHY because of Him. I’ve been made CLEAN. I am RIGHTEOUS. He sees me. Watches over me. He cares about every part of my life.

Because of who He is and because He lives in me I am a new creation. The person who was is no more. She dies daily as Jesus continues to renew a holy, perfect spirit within me.

I wish I didn’t have to be reminded of who I am, I wish I could just rest in the truth of whose I am. Sometimes it seems I need a daily reminder. I forget so easily.

But this I know, He continues to work in me in this area. One day I know I will really, really get it. I will “get it” into the depths of my heart and soul. Then shame will no longer have such power over me. But until then, I am thankful that Jesus never tires of reminding me. He never tires of the sanctification process in this area of my life.  I can run to Him at anytime and He gently whispers in my heart the names He has given me.

My dear friend if you also find yourself mired in shame then let me speak these truths over you. Say them out loud. Choose to believe the truth as these words filter down into the depths of your heart. Then choose to walk in them today.

God says, “My precious daughter you are my beloved.”

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved… Col 3:12

As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED … Rom 9:25

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God ! How vast is the sum of them! Ps 139:17

"The LORD has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; Duet 26:18

"My delight is in her... For the LORD delights in you" Is 62:

And truly dear friend, He does delight in you!! Now go and walk in the knowledge of whose you are and how much He loves you.