No Shame

It is not often that a devotional strikes me so deeply that I feel the need to share it word for word. But this one did. It is from The Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional

It is titled Genuine

“I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid….so I hid.” Genesis 3:10

“After Adam sinned for the first time, he felt an emotion he’d never felt before: shame. Shame makes us want to hide who we really are, because we believe we are defective and we don’t want to be rejected. So when Adam felt shame and heard God coming, he hid. 

We may not hide from people physically, but we do have all sorts of strategies for hiding emotionally. We wear masks that hide our needs and weaknesses to make people think we’re smarter, stronger, and more together. 

God did not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Instead he gave us his Holy Spirit who empowers us, whose love casts out fear, and who enables self-discipline. Whenever we find ourselves inclined to hide and fake it, we can call out for the Holy Spirit. Then we can be genuine with other people in the growth process we are all in, knowing each of us is a work in progress, unique and unfinished.”

No shame Dear Ones. When the enemy of your soul tries to bring shame remind him and yourself that you are fearfully and wonderfully made just the way you are. 

Hallelujah!