Freedom from Shame

I'm glad I have eternal life because I don't have to feel shame over the things I've done.

When I was a child I experienced a lot of shame over my secret thought life. On the outside, I was a pretty good kid but on the inside or when no one was around I looked at and thought about things that made me feel dirty or repulsive. I was afraid to tell anyone about this because of how horrible it made me feel. I was certain that I would be judged and rejected if anyone found out the truth. But then God gave me the courage to share the truth with a friend whom I knew I could trust. This friend responded in a way that I would've never expected. She listened with compassion and reminded me that because I was a Christian, I was not condemned for any of those things. She reminded me of the Gospel, that Jesus had died for my sins and risen from the grave to show His power over sin and death. From that point, I began to walk in a freedom and peace that I had never known before. I continued to struggle in different areas but I learned to give myself grace and I learned that it's not my job to make myself new. God is doing that through the Holy Spirit inside of me.

Jesus died to pay the price for all sins and so I no longer have to walk around under the weight of shame. He has forgiven me and cleansed me from all my sin, public and private.