Feeling ashamed?
One day Jesus encountered two women who had reason to be ashamed. One was a Samaritan woman whom He met as she was drawing water at a well. Jesus knew that she had five husbands and was now living with another man. (John 4:7-26)
Jesus met the other woman when she intruded on a dinner party at which He was a guest. She was well known as a woman of ‘ill-repute’. As she anointed Jesus’ feet with an expensive perfume, she wept: no doubt, her tears were tears of shame. (Luke 7:36-50)
Jesus did not condemn either woman. He spoke to them with gentleness and kindness. And they responded to Him, knowing that they had been forgiven and could put their shame behind them.
If you are struggling with shame, whether you have managed to hide it from others or whether it is ‘in the open’, why not bring it to Jesus? He already knows about it and is ready to receive you and forgive you.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:9,11)
Prayer:
Almighty God, I have done things which I am ashamed, especially (name the things which are causing the shame). I realise that they have never been hidden from You. Please forgive me and please release me from my shame. AMEN.