Look to Jesus!

Here comes a huge load of the most horrible, heavy, condemning, life-changing junk hurled towards you with vengeance and ill will! Are you ready for it? No? Watch out! “Shame on you!” shouts a nasty voice. Have you noticed how easily these words pour out of someone’s mouth? “Shame on you!” Sometimes, it’s not that exact phrase, but other shame-producing words. These words belittle, degrade, reduce, and cause pain. No examples are necessary because we’ve all been the recipient of at least one load of shame in our lifetime. It’s not easily forgotten, and one of our enemy’s favorite tactics. After all, the Bible says the devil came to rob, kill, and destroy. What’s sad is that we often allow shame to stick.

Growing up in an abusive home left me haunted by the fear of doing the same to my children. My mother was the child of a verbally and physically abusive alcoholic, and she continually struggled with fits of rage while trying to raise three children. She died when I was seventeen, and although I loved her, it was the first time I felt safe. Years later, imagine my troubled emotions when I received a phone call from my son’s school with a request for me to quickly come and pick him up. 

When I arrived, his teacher politely directed me to the school library. My son stood in the rear of the room, his head hung down, and I smelled a foul odor. He raised his head when I called his name, and I saw the horror of embarrassment in his eyes. His lips quivered and tears began to fall. “Mommy, I couldn’t unbuckle my belt,” he whispered. “I tried so hard, but it was too late.”

I was suddenly overwhelmed with memories from my own childhood. I recalled cringing in fear every time I made a mistake, had an accident, or failed in some way. The waves of shame I encountered as a child were now mirrored in the face of my young son.

I realized quickly I didn’t know how to respond. I knew I wanted to run and hide, but by God’s grace, my heart did a u-turn from fear and I cried out to God. Kneeling down, I embraced my son and reassured him of my love for him. I swiftly wrapped his jacket around his waist and positioned his lunch box in front of his hips, instructing him to stay close to me. “B-but Mommy,” he stammered, “what about the smell?” “Don’t worry,” I whispered with a grin, “everyone will think it’s ME!” We giggled all the way down the school hallway to the parking lot. “Sir, you may be seated, but please forgive my poor taste in perfume!” I joked and he responded with laughter. During the drive home, my son began to discuss the rest of his school day. A tear slid down my cheek as God revealed to me that I had just been part of a miracle that only God could have orchestrated. I realized that I took my son’s shame on myself and carried it down that school hallway. I protected him from the pain of humiliation by allowing myself to be humbled in his place. I heard God whisper, “As I did for you on Calvary.” 

Have you ever felt the discomfort and pain of suffering shame? Maybe it was because of words harshly spoken, a traumatic experience, or an embarrassing failure? If you’ve experienced these feelings, take comfort in the fact that Jesus experienced them too. He took our shame upon Himself when He died on the cross naked, mocked, and bruised. Hebrews 12:2 says we can find encouragement as we run the race of life by “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” He literally took our shame upon Himself on the cross! Jesus paid the price for any shame or humiliation that would try to destroy our life. Don’t allow the enemy to throw shame on you! Stand against him, exercise your faith, and believe that Jesus carried your shame to the cross. Will you look to Jesus?