Face your Shame and Let your Angels Sing
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
The Christian Church has attempted to balance humility with shame in a sinful world. The Church has not always appropriately tipped the balance between sin recognition and shame. Shame is emotional manipulation, while recognition of sin is a tool for empowerment. Knowing the difference and acting with care for self and others is essential to be healthy and whole, as God intended.
God is not a fan of shame because it diminishes rather than enhances. In "To Tap Your Full Potential, Heal Your Shame Wounds," Karen Nimmo describes shame's power to harm. She confirms, "Shame wounds are the emotional scars caused by early experiences or messages that make us feel humiliated or ashamed of ourselves." Shame is so deeply embedded in our Christian faith and human orientation that parents often do not realize they are shaming their children or bosses their employees. Yet, shame wounds nonetheless.
The way to heal and overcome shame occurs through a distinct process. First, Nimmo challenges us to "Identify the pain point." Avoidance feels comfortable but does little to address the shame wound. When we experience our shame again, with a little distance, we learn to control our emotions and recognize that our shame need not have power over us. Second, "Shame and guilt are not twins." Guilt is a divine gift that calls for healthy change. Shame, on the other hand, is destructive. Even deep-seated and well-deserved guilt does not deserve shame.
God promises to give you the strength and wisdom to "Step into the arena (with baby steps)" and face our shame with courage and integrity. The personal rebuilding process occurs by replacing shame with guilt, guilt with forgiveness, and forgiveness with restoration and healing. When you and the Holy Spirit work together, lasting transformation occurs. Nimmo provides a beautiful and meaningful quote by the playwright August Wilson, "Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing."