I believe you weren't created with shame.

Chaplain 'Word of the Day' for those who are interested. Everyone has their own valid beliefs. These are just mine.

I was raised in a very broken, very violent home. Filled with poverty and abuse. Mostly violent abuse at the hands of my first father who, for the initial 12 years of my life, was a convicted felon, mean drunk, drug addict, Neo Nazi, psychotic man. He told me one day, with his pistol to my head, that I would never amount to anything. My brother and I were always being hit, as was Mom. Shame was my childhood experience. Shame is a hard thing to shake, even into adulthood. But very recently I worked through the writings of Brene' Brown. I also read my Good Book and rediscovered in Genesis that I, we, all of us, were created in the image of God. We were given creativity and free will. We weren't given shame by God though. Adam and Eve walked the garden naked and unashamed. It never says they knew they were naked (not yet). Nakedness didn't matter at that point. When the man and woman chose to eat what they were told not to, they became aware of their nakedness . Then they experienced shame and tried to cover themselves up. God asked them where they were and why they were hiding. They said because they were naked. God asked them who told them they were naked?

The way I understand it is that we weren't designed to experience shame . Our own failures bring forth shame. Guilt is often confused with shame . Guilt is "I did wrong" and shame is "I am wrong." I have struggled with my own shame. But lately I am rejecting the shame others have put or tried to put on me . The guilt I will accept for my own wrongdoing. But I am proud of me. I reject the shaming others attempt to place on me. Don't let anyone shame you and try to make you feel worthless. Don 't buy that crock . Own your guilt, sure. Take responsibility for your own decisions . Then correct them. But know that you are worth more than you think. Whether family or coworkers or anyone else tries to shame you, know that God never told you that you were worthless . Either someone else did or you did . You are strong and beautiful. You are priceless . So be kind to yourself. Be proud of yourself. Be the best you you can be.

Field sermon over. Again, the opinions just expressed are my own and do not represent any RallyPoint stance. I hope this was helpful to at least a few.