Relationship with God

Course Cut-OutMore Than Your Past - Shedding Shame and Guilt
Written By Austin Cavaliere

If you need help seeing Jesus in the middle of your struggle, or just feel like you are stuck, ready to move into growth and healing, connect with a Christian coach.

Excerpt: Relationship with God - More Than Your Past Session 4

Course: More Than Your Past - Shedding Shame & Guilt

Speakers: Ryan Miller, Benji Horning

Crushing Shame: Walking in the Freedom Won in the Garden

The very first prophecy in the Bible, found in Genesis, speaks of a future victory: Satan will strike at humanity's heel, but One will come to stomp his head. This wasn't a prediction of earthly conquest as many anticipated, but a spiritual triumph over Satan's primary weapon: shame and isolation.

Think about how Jesus, the Messiah, achieved this victory. He didn't arrive as a conquering king in the traditional sense. Instead, He walked directly into shame. He revisited the separation of the Garden, experiencing isolation from humanity and even from His Father. The Son of God endured whipping, spitting, beatings, nakedness, mockery, and the brutal crown of thorns.

The Unexpected Victory: Triumph Through Shared Shame

Jesus' victory was in taking on our sin and our shame. He became the second Adam, righting the wrongs of the first. This is the good news that follows the bad: even in our deepest experiences of shame, Jesus was there. And because He rose again, He offers us the same freedom.

One day, He will return as the conquering King, but even now, seated at the right hand of God, He rests, knowing the debt is paid, sin is conquered, and shame is defeated.

Our Shared Posture: From Shame to Glorification

As we navigate our relationship with God, do we carry the same posture as our Savior? He carried our shame, and in Him, we share in a new life. One day, we will stand before Him, fully exposed yet fully glorified. Revelation speaks of a white stone with a new name, known only to us and Him – a renaming, a cleansing, restoring the freedom we once knew in the Garden.

God has dealt not only with our shame and embarrassment but also with the incongruence between our aspirations and our reality. The fruit of this victory is available now: we can walk fully known, secure in His unwavering love.

Walking in Freedom: Defying the Opinions of Others

Scripture highlights this freedom. David, unashamedly dancing and praising God, famously declared, "I'll be even more embarrassed than this!" His confidence rested not in the opinions of others but in the unwavering support of God: "What can man do to me if God is for me?"

This same freedom awaits us. Knowing that God has conquered our shame empowers us to walk in fullness and newness of life, the life that is truly life, because Jesus undid what the serpent did in the Garden. The head of shame has been crushed, freeing us to walk in full intimacy and vulnerability with God and others.

The Safest Relationship: Being Fully Known and Fully Loved

Dr. Tim Keller wisely noted that our greatest fear is to be fully known and not fully loved. This fear often drives us to present curated versions of ourselves. However, in Jesus, we find the safest relationship, one where we are already fully known and yet fully loved.

An Exercise in Receiving Love: Seeing God's Delight

A powerful exercise to internalize this truth is contemplative prayer. Instead of focusing on what you say, focus on receiving. Use your imagination to picture God looking at you – the real you, the uncovered you, the parts of your story you rarely share.

Instead of the stern, angry God we might sometimes envision, try to see His face filled with a smiling delight, a joy akin to the Father's affirmation of Jesus at His baptism: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." This affirmation came before Jesus performed miracles or went to the cross, highlighting God's inherent love for His Son, just as He loves us.

Therefore, in prayer, present your whole self – the parts you're proud of and the parts you're ashamed of. Look at God looking back at you and imagine His joy, His delight, His blessing. Practicing this every morning can begin to reshape your inner narrative, moving you towards freedom and away from the grip of shame. Imagine waking up and the first face you see, in your mind's eye, is the face of God looking at the real you with joy and delight.

 

If you like the content, you can continue in a few different ways…

  • 1) See the outline below and check out other sections from the FFP course.

  • 2) Take the full small group course to your church community! The first course your church runs is free! Reach out to us here to learn how.

  • 3) Connect with a Share The Struggle Coach for one-on-one support. Let’s face it, some of us have tried kicking this thing, and we’ve had no luck. It’s time to start looking toward forms of support that can help us see and feel the beautiful life God has in store for us.

 

More Than Your Past

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More Than Your Past 〰️

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Session 4

Session 5

Session 6

 

Share The Struggle Courses

Share the Struggle Courses are topical expert led video courses to help you understand life’s greatest struggles and provide you with tools for navigating them. Moreover, STS courses create a space for you to connect with others struggling with similar things, experience belonging, and encounter God’s nearness in a place of wilderness in your life (pain, confusion, healing journey). Want to start a group at your church? Reach out to us here to learn how.

 

What Share The Struggle Believes

Here at Share The Struggle we believe Jesus is present with us in the middle of our pain and mess, and it is in that place that we often experience and encounter Jesus most deeply.

We understand the unique challenges faced by Christians dealing with mental health. Our mission is to bridge the gap between faith and mental health support, providing a platform where individuals can find resources, coaching support and guidance, all tailored to their spiritual life and emotional needs.

We invite you to explore our resources, share your journey, and find the support you need to overcome the struggles you face.

Austin Cavaliere
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