Shame & Contempt

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What happens when you feel shame? What do you do when you mess up? How do you react when someone you don’t know questions your parenting in the middle of the grocery store?
What is your first reaction?
Contempt? For me, honestly it is (and if you’re honest with yourself yours probably is too).
Contempt for me or others (or both).
Contempt is your attempt to cover your shame without God.
Cover up.
Break into cold sweats.
Hide.
Run away.
Get angry.
Put myself down. (oh man, I should’ve known better)
Yell.
Cry in pity and shame.
This is not what God wants us to do.
He wants us to run to Him. He will cover our shame with His grace and love & forgiveness. We just need to remember that in our moments. (Easier said than done, I know!)
I picture when I am feeling shame (whether I put it on myself or someone put it on me) covering up in a blanket of contempt - then God coming and taking that blanket away and giving me His. His covering of peace and forgiveness. So now I’ve been thinking and praying about how I handle myself. What’s my first reaction? Can I just skip the first part and run to God? It’s my prayer - & something I can’t do in my own power.

How do you cover your shame?

(This is stuff I’m learning from my small group study I’m taking through Bridge to Life and Open Hearts Ministries)

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