I want to be closer to God, don’t you?
Sometimes, I want to grab all that he is so I can be all that I am. I want to just get over me, be done with my ways, and move straight into his.
But then, shame shows up.
Shame comes to tell me that I am bad.
Unworthy.
Unloved.
Worthless.
Without a plan.
An orphan of God.
Distanced from love.
Unheard.
Unvalued.
Unbelievable in my actions.
(Fill in the blank)
Shame takes us by our hair, drags us to the ground and then beats us up, until all we can see is defeat. It’s the ultimate sucker punch from the devil.
If he can succeed at shaming he can succeed at defaming God.
If he can succeed at shaming, he knows we’ll stop proclaiming.
If he can succeed at shaming, he can make sure we aren’t flaming for Jesus.
I have become more and more aware of this cycle – and I am fighting back, my friend, because life is too short to live laying on the ground with bruises. You can’t get up and serve God when you are always injured.
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame. (Is. 50:7)
Fighting back shame means 3 things:
1. We allow the Sovereign Lord to help us.
2. We hold fast to the truth that Christ makes us without all shame, without any blemish – essentially “unbruisable” in him. He paid the price to absorb all shame as he took his last breath on the cross.
3. We set our faces like flint.
What? What does it mean to set a face like flint?
flint
noun
- a piece of flint used with steel to produce an igniting spark, e.g., in a flintlock gun, or (in modern use) a piece of an alloy used similarly, especially in a cigarette lighter.
- a hard type of rock that produces a small piece of burning material (called a spark) when it is hit by steel – Google Dictionary
We, like a rock, keep our face motionless in the face of impending shame. As the devil leans back to deliver his punch of shame, we stay hardened, fearless and impenetrable. We don’t make it easy for him to hit us, because hitting a rock is never comfortable. It’s not normally something you set out to fight.
And, did you catch the result? The result is staggering, my friend. Oh, how I love it – a spark is produced.
A spark of courage.
A spark of hope.
A spark of light.
A spark in our heart.
A spark that brightens the situation.
A spark that paves our way.
A spark of renewal.
This spark does not hold us back from the plan of God, but lights the way for it. This spark lights God’s ways in our heart. It sets us on fire for him.
It sets God’s plans in our hearts, not our insecurities in where we walk.
Today, we walk shameless. Jesus took every last bruise on our behalf, so we don’t have to walk in shame. Now, we walk with the light, the spark, of Christ Jesus that leads us in complete holiness, complete surrender and complete security in him.
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Today I am joining Suzie Eller for her fabulous #livefreeThursday, Susan B. Mead for #DancewithJesus and the Five Minute Friday linkup.
Stopping by from Five Minute Friday. I was expecting to read something more focused around “Plan”, but found your writing to be encouraging. It is very well written. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Leigh. I am glad that you found it encouraging. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comment.
Whew shame! I love that as God softens the edges, shame loses its punch…it becomes nothing but a gentle reminder that He paid the price and we no longer have to. Thank you Jesus! I’m thankful also for all who have helped put the spark of courage, hope, and light back into my life when “not enough” has come to call! This includes you Kelly and the other RaRa ladies. Thank you!!
Meg, this is so kind. I am so glad that the light has been sparked within you. The body of Christ is such a powerful encouragement. I praise Jesus right now – for you.
Well, hello friend. I’m your neighbor at #fmfparty. Oh no, shame is not God’s game, and He doesn’t want His child to live in it. How beautiful that we can send Jesus in to take Satan’s shame punch. We are blameless because of the blood of Jesus! Praise HIm!
Yes, Jesus is the lion and the lamb. He is so amazing. I love your words Leah. May you have the most blessed weekend. Please let me know how I can pray for you.
Sucker punch shame!
Spark…(lol-I’m drinking a Spark right now) of hope. Yes Kelly! Love this post. Steely resolve come on because Christ on the cross did ALL we will ever need to push back the enemy. When we remember what He did for us and are flint-like whenever shame wants to punch us.
Yes, send it a good ole sucker punch! Love that. We walk as flint. Praise Jesus!
Yes! I love this picture of faith! I’m standing strong like a rock today, ready to start a spark. Thanks, Kelly!
Let’s spark it friend. Let’s light it up!
Bookmarking this post friend. I am on a 40 day fast and this week we have been dealing with regret. One of the decisions I made in my youth that I regret also causes a great deal of shame. But I’m so happy to be in this place so I can get deliverance. Thank you for being part of the testimony with your words of confirmation.
It is a joy speak truth Tyra. Oh, I pray you will no longer allow the devil to hold any ounce of control over you. It is time to fight back – but, once and for all, dear one. It is done, not what you did – but what Jesus did. The devil loves to pull out shame and regret so we feel completely incapable to move forward. Lord, you are greater. Please bless Tyra in complete and full deliverance. Bless her so she cannot be held back from any of the purposes you have prepared for her. Amen.
This is just the encouragement I needed today. Thank you for your inspiration.
Oh Jenny, I am so glad. What a joy it is to know this.
Let’s kick shame to the curb!
1-2-3 Go! We are done with it! Thanks for the comment Suzie.
Oh so true! I love that when we trust, We have the spark of hope, spark of encouragement etc. I enjoyed this post so much!
Thank you Tara. I am delighted that you enjoyed it. Let’s spark for Jesus!
I like this way of thinking about shame. Shame is an ugly thing, and it has no place in the life of a Christian. Thank you for these beautiful words.
It is so ugly. That is a good way to describe it. You make me think, “why do we even give it any space in our lives?” It so obviously is not from God.
I can just feel your passion against the devil here, Kelly. I love the picture of him trying to punch against a rock. 🙂 And this line is so, so comforting – “Christ makes us without all shame, without any blemish – essentially “unbruisable” in him.”
I am ready to fight this. I have lived slave to this shame monster for too long. Once we free from shame we free to life. Let’s go shameless Trudy!
Thanks for the reminder. Some bruises may appear to be gone but they really never go away.
You bet. I understand what you mean, I think. I know it has taken me long roads, with much thought on truth, Gods’ Word and prayer to overcome the worst of my shame. The more we know God, the more the bruises fade. Thank you for sharing honestly and openly. I know it is not an easy road.
As always I loved this Kelly!
Thank you for telling me Nicole. You bring me such joy.
God has truly blessed you in helping you write blogs and articles such as the one you just sent me. Truly inspirational and excellent food for thought. To me the only way to survive shame or any others darts the devil throws at us is to understand and memorize scripture. As Ephesians 6:12 tells us: 12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” And the only way to do that is to: Ephesians 6:10-11: 10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” And finally: Ephesians 6:17-18: 17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Again, thanks and God Bless.
Thank you Garrett. It is an honor to share the Lord’s words. You bring up such good points with the armor. We must be ready to fight with all that God has prepared us with.
Kelly, I love that verse from Isaiah 50 — one of my favorites. You unpacked it so beautifully here and encouraged my spirit tonight. So glad I linked up after you over at Suzanne’s on Thursday! Shame is such a tool of the enemy. Your words here have helped arm me well to stand strong against the onslaught. Thanks! xo
Thank you. It really is a great verse. Thanks for linking up. Come and join us on Tuesday’s for the #RaRalinkup!
I love the visual of setting our faces like flint and that it produces a spark when we are hit. I’m emboldened and feel that I’ve been encouraged here! Thank you Kelly!
Thank you Amy. I had to practice having a rock solid face this weekend. It works when you imagine it all coming together.
Love the encouragement to set our faces like flint. This is another way of setting our minds. I too am tired of living under the weight of shame that presses hard when I feel that I have let others down. Blessed by this today!
Let’s harden ourselves to the devil’s tactics, Ginger and be steadfast and fearless when shame comes knocking.