Things I think about
Timeless Reflections on Shame, Worth, and Grace
My Journey of Grace:
My Teacher, the Holy Spirit, spent many months guiding me through the topic of shame. Years later, I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) that brought relentless cycles of negative self-talk. Once caught in this spiral of self-destruction, escape seemed impossible—except by the grace of God.
During this time, my wife and I lived in a house that God had instructed me to build many years before. I’m a mechanic, not a builder, and I lacked the skills to take on such a task. But I eventually chose to be obedient to God’s call. Early in the construction process, I began doubting my faith in what God had spoken to me. One day, as I was working, I noticed a rock on the end of my shovel. In that moment, I heard the words, “Everything will be OK.” I set the rock aside for safekeeping, but it mysteriously disappeared and could not be found again
.Seventeen years later, after my TBI, I found myself in the depths of despair, overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts. One day, in the midst of this darkness, my wife stormed into our bedroom holding the very same rock she had just discovered. As I gazed at it, the same words echoed in my heart: “Everything will be OK.” It was a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and His grace, even in my lowest moments.
My personal epiphany came during this journey of restoration: “If you resent others attacking your self-worth, why do you do it to yourself?” This realization, coupled with God’s grace, marked the beginning of my healing and renewed purpose.
My prayer is that one of these seeds finds its way into your heart, planting the truth of God’s grace and love. May it grow into healing, restoration, and a renewed sense of your worth in Him.
The Garden of Reflection:
Shaming is the enemy’s tool to turn offense into division, but dignity and grace are God’s path to restoration and unity.
When you hear, ‘You’re not good enough,’ remember—the cross says otherwise.
If you resent people who shame you and make you feel worthless, why do you do it to yourself? Recognize your self-talk for what it is.
Shame—it’s the invisible weapon we’ve all wielded and the scar we all bear. Everyone has been shamed. Everyone has shamed someone. Its repercussions are devastating: shame costs lives, imprisons its victims, and utterly destroys character. Shaming doesn’t just affect us—it infects us, spreading pain, fear, and brokenness far beyond what we see.
Your worth is not defined by the anger, insults, or rejection of others—it is defined by the love of the One who created and redeemed you.
The Jews considered shaming to be worse than death. Death happens once, but shaming is a perpetual death—repeatedly wounding the soul without end.
The opposite of love is not hate—it is fear. Perfect love casts out fear.
The truth isn’t in what you’ve done but in who God says you are—His masterpiece, even in the mess.
God didn’t choose you because you were good enough; He chose you because His love is enough.
Happiness may feel earned, but joy is a gift—and God gives it freely.
You’ve punished yourself long enough—Jesus already took that burden for you.
Believing you don’t deserve happiness isn’t humility—it’s a lie someone else planted, and only God’s truth can uproot it.
Shame tears down, but love builds up; where shame condemns, God’s grace restores.
Shaming someone attacks their worth, but God calls us to protect and restore His image in them.
Your worth is not defined by the anger, insults, or rejection of others—it is defined by the love of the One who created and redeemed you.
Shame is like a dirty diaper, only God can change it.
Shame can bring so much internal pain, some people resort to “self-cutting” to temporarily ease that pain by masking it with the physical pain.
Thank you