Tag Archives: Shame And Guilt

Joe Paterno and the Price of Shame

Sometimes, people are remembered more for their failures, than their victories. Joe Paterno, Penn State’s former Football coach won on the field (409 times) but failed where it mattered most. He lost his job this week after it became apparent he did little to stop another coach (Jerry Sandusky) from repeatedly molesting boys.   Until this week, the man known as “JoePa” had a storied career that spanned decades.

Now, Paterno must endure the disgrace that comes from “things done in secret” being brought to light. He failed a test of character. He had the opportunity to do right but failed to act.

Who could have imagined the fall of such legendary leader resulting not from things he did, but things he didn’t do? Today, JoePa must learn to overcome the shame and guilt people are throwing his way.

Shame is very difficult to overcome. That’s because it is not an attack based on a person’s actions, but on his/her worth as a person. Like so many others before him, Joe Paterno must find peace with himself before he can hope to find peace with others.

The key to overcoming shame is finding forgiveness. That means accepting responsibility not only for our actions, but for the pain our actions caused others. If you have acted in shameful ways, you can find peace again.  Jesus Christ offers that peace when we come to Him for forgiveness.

It begins with a simple prayer like this:  “Dear Jesus. I am ashamed of myself. I have done wrong. My actions have hurt my relationship with you and others.  I am sorry for the things I have done. Please forgive me and give me a new start. Please be the Lord of my life and help me to find peace again. In Jesus’ name. Amen!”

There is no need to feel shame if you have found forgiveness. You can start by following Jesus today. If you have prayed the prayer, please click the “yes” button below and someone will help you take the next step forward.

- Bill Hennessy

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Shame Destroys – God Restores

Everyone feels shame from time to time. Unfortunately, shame isn’t just a judgment of your actions; it is a judgment of your worth. “You should be ashamed of yourself!” is a common statement that causes uncommon harm.

If you feel shame today, you know that people judge both our actions and our value.  Making mistakes is a common thing, but sometimes the wrongs we do carry an extra price tag.  If you have been shamed, you know that shame brings an ally to every battle: guilt. If you feel both Shame and guilt, they can convince you that you have no value, no worth and no hope.

You can overcome shame.  It requires you to be honest with yourself. If you have done wrong things, you need forgiveness and a new start.

Overcoming shame starts when you pray because God specializes in new beginnings.  He knows that we all make mistakes. He takes your need so seriously that He sent His own Son, Jesus, into our world to take our sins on His shoulders. God knows you feel ashamed.  He understands that you have done wrong and that you feel badly about it.    

Your shameful actions do not need to shape your future. Instead, you can confess your wrongs to God and receive forgiveness. When you confess your actions to God, He offers you the opportunity to start again. God knows you feel ashamed, so He makes a way for you to live in grace. It starts with a prayer that you can pray today.

- Bill Hennessy

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Overcoming Shame With Forgiveness

 

If you have made serious life mistakes (and who hasn’t?) it is likely that you have experienced the pain of shame and guilt.  Feeling shame hurts at such a deep level that it seems difficult to even take your next breath. It can seem like being you are being stoned with accusing words

Those who use shame as a weapon attack more than your mistakes. They attack your value as a person, stepping past your error and attacking your character, value and worth.  It’s a horribly wounding moment that leaves you hurt and shamed.

If you feel ashamed today, you probably long for a way to heal.  Can you overcome shame? Yes!  But you will need help.  Since your accusers attack not only your mistakes, but your worth as a person, you need someone to assure you that you still have value.

If you feel shame, there is hope.  Jesus Christ offers you forgiveness for any shameful actions you may have committed and real healing from the wounds you experienced at the hands of your accusers. He knows you need help overcoming shame. He can give it to you as your surrender your life to Him.  Jesus paid the price for your sin and desires to bring you freedom and a new start.

When you experience His forgiveness, you won’t need to feel ashamed any longer. When you experience His new life, you will know you are accepted by your creator. There is no greater joy than friendship with Jesus.  Everyone feels shame at some point in life.  It’s great to know that forgiveness and healing is just a prayer away.

- Bill Hennessy
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Free Yourself From Shame

 

There is a phrase used in some parts of the world that defines shame so well.  It is called: “Losing face.”  When you are shamed by others, it seems like you lose your identity.  Our faces distinguish us from those around us. Our faces make us unique.  Imagine if you actually lost your face what an obstacle it would be to finding acceptance.  

Overcoming shame is a big problem for many people. Perhaps it is because we cannot live up to expectations. Perhaps it is because we cannot please everyone. 

Shame and guilt are very common problems no matter where you live.  Most people feel shame from time to time. For some people, it isn’t just a problem it is a life-stopping battle.

Someone has said that there is a big difference between doing something bad and “being bad.”  Shame doesn’t know the difference. It is a value statement that lowers our value to ourselves and everyone around us.  So can you overcome shame? Can you learn to see yourself without the criticism of others? Yes! If you are ashamed of yourself, there is hope.

If you feel ashamed of yourself today, there is a way to find freedom from the condemnation others have loaded onto your shoulders.  Go to Jesus!  He is the one who lifts our burdens. We can find our value in Him and overcome the pain of shame and guilt.

Jesus came to earth because God knew that our sins shamed each of us to the point of destruction. Jesus never sinned, yet He took on the shame of the cross so that you can be free from everything that devalues you and causes you pain. 

When you come to Jesus and confess to Him that you have made mistakes He offers you a forgiveness that changes you from the inside. You can learn to feel good about yourself again and overcome the shame and guilt that rules your life.

Begin with a simple prayer: “Dear Jesus. I am sorry for the things that I have done that have brought shame and guilt into my life and hurt those around me. Please forgive me and give me a new beginning. Please become the savior of my life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.” When you do, you will begin a journey from shame to joy!

- Bill Hennessy

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How to Overcome Shame

All of us have experienced shame at one time or another.  It might have been a missed goal in soccer, forgetting your lines in a play or falling down in front of a crowd when you were a child.  Your shame might be rooted in much deeper failings as an adult like going through a bankruptcy, losing a job or getting caught in a lie.  Regardless of the incident, making a mistake in the presence of others can leave us feeling shame and guilt.

If you struggle to overcome shame, you know how easy it is to turn a simple mistake into a statement of fact about yourself. Instead of saying “That was clumsy,” you begin to say “I am clumsy.”  That subtle difference can cause you to feel shame that words cannot express.

Overcoming shame may seem impossible to you, but God offers a way to put shame behind you once and for all. The Bible declares that "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." (Romans 10:11) Putting trust in Jesus Christ changes our reality. God knows that we may doubt this, so he repeats it in I Peter 2:6: “whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

 

Jesus Christ came to take away our shame and guilt. He knows that we are human and prone to making mistakes. He offers us forgiveness and peace.  Our shameful actions can be forgiven and we can learn to live in grace. By asking Jesus to forgive the wrongs you’ve done, you can learn to see yourself as God sees you, someone with great worth. Although you feel ashamed of your failings, God values you as a son or daughter. He will take away your shame and give you the strength to change and grow.

-Bill Hennessy

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Turning Shame to Your Advantage

Newspaper publisher Rupert Murdoch is a successful businessman by anyone’s reckoning.  Yet, he is as human as any other person.  Can you imagine the shame he felt recently as he walked into the British Parliament to answer questions about the illegal actions of his “News of the World” publication?  He described it as the most humbling moment of his life.

Shame and guilt are like that.  Those feelings can knock the wind right out of even the strongest person. Overcoming shame can be quite difficult to overcome.  People tend to remember our failings long after they’ve forgotten our successes. As a result, many people are desperate to start over…. without shame!

If you have felt the shame and guilt of wrongs you have committed, you probably want a new start too. There is hope!  Regardless of your shameful behavior, Jesus Christ offers you real forgiveness and a new beginning. If you are ashamed of your actions, God can use that powerful emotion to get your attention and tell you that it is time for a change.

If you feel shame today for something you have done, you can find forgiveness. Real forgiveness when comes when we openly admit that we made a mistake. Ask God for a new beginning and allow him to take away the wrongs you have done.   When you do, you will find that God is faithful to remove your guilt and shame and to offer you a new relationship with Him.
 

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Overcoming Shame

 

“You should be ashamed of yourself!”  These words bring a flood of emotions to anyone who has been caught doing wrong.  While it is true that we do wrong things, this phrase attacks us well beyond our actions. It attacks our value as human beings.  

Shameful acts are often carried out by damaged people who need restoration just as much as they need correction. If you feel shame today, it is likely that you were caught in some wrong action.  Or, it might be that you were accused, but never really did what others believed you to do. Either way, you probably feel shame and guilt.

What is the secret of overcoming shame?  We must admit that our actions reflect what is in our hearts. If you’ve done something shameful perhaps it is because you do not know your worth to God and to those around you.  

Shame robs us of our identity in Christ.  Yes, I do wrong, but I am not worthless to God. Yes, I make mistakes and sometimes even hurt other people, but God still sees my value. Shame robs us of that value and makes us feel worthless and useless.  This is not true!

The Bible tells us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!  If I ask Him to be my Lord and Savior, He forgives my failings and offers me His worth.  Jesus took my shame on His shoulders when He was crucified. You can find the same relief from shame I found by making Him your Lord and Savior too!

- Bill Hennessy
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