Day 3 – The Exchange – 21 Days of Spiritual Swaps

Last night, I felt shame attack – thick and fast.

That feeling of embarrassment. So real. So all-encompassing.

It traps you and it smothers you, so that you feel like you cannot breathe.

Then, the lies come:

“I will always feel like this, I will always feel ashamed.”

“I can’t get this feeling of shame off.”

“It’s so real and true.”

“I can’t sleep.”

“I can’t fix it. But, I need to do something to get it off. Surely, I am to blame.”

Thoughts that somehow I was the problem. Lies that said I was the embarrassment and I will live like an embarrassment forever.

Shame, when it hits, feels suffocating.

My husband once told me that, when he can’t sleep, he replays each scene of a movie in his mind. So, I chose to ignore the lies and replayed Disney’s “The Parent Trap” in my mind.

Eventually, I managed to sleep.

I woke up this morning and I came to Jesus with my shame.

This type of shame wasn’t caused by anything I have done, it has not been caused by anything that has been done to me, either.

It is an accumulation of little lies, which I have believed about myself, for many years.

That I am not beautiful, I am not as good as others.

That I am an embarrassment.

The thing is, if you let those little lies fester, soon enough you have built a case of self-hatred against yourself. Sure enough, the feelings of shame that follow can hit you, like a powerful wave.

But, I really feel like someone reading this needs to know – there is something more powerful than those feelings of shame.

The lies are just lies and they can go back to the pit of hell, from which they came. In fact, the only power they have is the power you give them, by choosing to accept them as truth.

You don’t have to do anything about those lies. You don’t have to punish yourself in any way, shape or form.

Instead, believe this: there is a God, more powerful than any. His name is Jesus. You can let Him in.

What you need to know is this:

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34: 17-18, NIV

Speak that verse over yourself. Sing the name of ‘Jesus’, to any tune you wish.

He is powerful and mighty to save you.

Swap your shame for His powerful nearness. Because, I am telling you, even if you don’t feel it; He loves you and He is near to you, waiting for you to call on Him.

You might not feel like He is near, you might have to shout that bible verse a lot of times before you believe it.

But feelings can lie to you. That’s all they are… lies.

You have the power to choose faith in God’s word today. No one can take that away from you, so please don’t let a feeling deceive you into thinking otherwise.

If the lies are loud, His word is louder.

I want to speak this over you:

He is near to you.

He is near to you.

He is near to you.

Please believe that truth today and know that I am praying for you. I believe you will walk free from shame.

Action Points:

• Read Psalm 34 aloud.
• Sing the name of Jesus.
• Call a friend or family member and tell them about the negative thoughts you are having. You have nothing to be ashamed of, they are just lies.