Responding to Shame

Shame: the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable or improper done by oneself or another.

Ashamed: distressed or embarrassed by feelings of guilt, foolishness, or disgrace.

Dictionary.com

Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when I punish them, says the Lord.

Jeremiah 6:15

Judges 13

Samson was a type of Christ.

- name means “sunlight”- miraculous birth- supernatural strength- called to be a deliverer

THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME

•Denial

THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME

•Denial

“Let’s keep the family secrets.”

THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME

•Denial

• Pride

THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME

•Denial

• Pride- this response is becoming much more prevalent in modern America, particularly with the sin of homosexuality.

 Pride’s temptation to turn struggle into statement, to come out and just be proud of my sexuality, worked almost artfully on my soul. The touch of shame upon my heart was almost electric at times.

Christy McFerren First Steps Out

THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME

•Denial

• Pride

•Humility

Paul

If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.

2 Corinthians 11:30

Humility cannot flow from a position of moral superiority.

Christ

Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34

THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME

•Denial

• Pride

•Humility

Humility

Forgiving the person who caused the

shame is the path to humility.

Judges 16:28-31

Remember:

•This is about God’s will.

•This is about destiny.

•This is not about how I feel or my reputation.

There is injustice in the shame because the family cannot do one thing to change their collective situation, except simply wait, extend unconditional love and pray.

Christy McFerren First Steps Out