I believe you weren't created with shame.

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 23:37:32 -0400

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.

Response by SPC Ei McS made Jun 1 at 2015 11:43 PM

SPC Ei McS — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 23:43:38 -0400

CPT William Beaver, thank you for sharing your experiences and your thoughts. For now I just simply want to say this. Your words are powerful and meaningful, but I have to let them (your words) dwell in me so I can think about them and form further thoughts concerning the sermon you just shared.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 1 at 2015 11:58 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 23:58:45 -0400

Nicely done, CH (MAJ) William Beaver. By the way, you're right. Thank you.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 2 at 2015 12:40 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 00:40:26 -0400

Chaplain, I am not telling you anything new, but here goes. We are all, from the rich kid on the hill to the gutter urchin, broken. Our lives our souls and our being, all of us, broken. This we get from the inherited sin of our fathers. But God, who created with a free will, made a way, laid out a plan to repair what was broken. Through Christ, he restores us to Himself, to be what we were always intended to be, His friend.
I said this once and a minister I know told me I was crazy (Which I do not deny). Here is the explanation. God wanted someone to commune with, and laugh with and to share all His creation with. He had created the angles and the host of Heaven, yet something was missing. In all creation, every being praised him, because that was his function and purpose. What was missing, you ask? Someone the CHOOSES to be with Him. Who wants friends at Gunpoint? So God gave man a free will, and some of us choose to accept His love, some openly reject His love and some ignore it at all.
I found, after the death of a child, that God was the only hope I had. it has been 16 years and I have not looked back.
Some people tell me that my faith and religion are just a crutch, my reply is, well, maybe so but when you are crippled a crutch is a great ting to have.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Jun 2 at 2015 2:34 AM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 02:34:53 -0400

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. -Psalms 139:14

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 2 at 2015 4:47 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 04:47:57 -0400

If you were raised by an Irish Catholic mother you were born with guilt!

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jun 2 at 2015 2:10 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:10:24 -0400

Are you struggling with shame issues?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jun 2 at 2015 2:10 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:10:56 -0400

Are you struggling with shame issues?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 2 at 2015 2:26 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:26:16 -0400

CPT, Well said. Thank you for sharing this. You are absolutely correct. Thanks again!