No Guilt or Shame
The words were attached to a comment I made on social media. They were meant to cut, degrade, ridicule, and insult. There was no remorse. There was no love. There was not even the slightest hint of kindness. The words said, or rather written, were meant to disprove the comment I had made. The hateful words were not just meant for the comment I made but also to prevent others from coming in contact with my published work. In other words, these words were meant to ruin me; to send me into shame and guilt and ultimately to silence me.
But they didn’t.
Instead, I had the most astounding and uplifting response that my attacker will never know; laughter. Yes, I laughed while also shaking my head and shaking the dust from my shoes.
People will do that to another. They will especially do that to ones who proclaim Jesus. Because of my healing, there are people who would rather I just shut my mouth and remain silent because they cannot fathom a healing so profound. They can’t understand it. They can’t accept it. Therefore, they set out to disprove it and to cause shame and guilt to the one professing healing. However, they cannot disprove my healing. They cannot disprove my relationship with the Lord, nor can they disprove what I’ve written.
Granted, this is not about me or what I’ve written. It’s about standing your ground and not letting others guilt and shame you into silence. You know, there are many people today who won’t speak up because of another person’s comments, jabs, insults, and control. They are so beat down with guilt and shame that they cannot stand for themselves. But you were never meant to carry that, lovely ones. You were never meant to carry guilt and shame. You were made to stand out.
No shadow of shame.
In Psalm 34:5 it states quite clearly that “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” How then can you possibly carry guilt and shame with you if you’ve trusted Jesus to heal you? You can’t.
Jesus came so we could have abundant life (John 10:10). He didn’t save you so you could walk around defeated all the time. He wants you to stand tall, smile, and walk in confidence that your past is forgiven and forgotten. And everything you say from now on will give glory to Him and show a lost and dying world, and show those who are suffering that there is freedom in Christ. You are walking, talking proof positive of that.
They just don’t get it.
Yet there are still those who will try to proclaim the opposite. Why? Because they can’t understand it. They simply don’t get it. The Bible even says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Don’t allow someone to guilt or shame you into staying silent when God has called you to speak out. I’ve been told my words were “vile” and “garbage.” I find the word vile to be quite hilarious when the words I had said were words of encouragement and all about Jesus, including mentioning His name! People thought the name Jesus was vile? Only because they don’t know Him.
Shed some light.See? Even those who don’t know His name find it offensive because His name sheds light into their dark lives. And we all know that light overcomes darkness. Think of it – once you’ve been in a dark room and you turn on the light, your eyes hurt until they get used to the light. You find the light disturbing, vile, and uncomfortable don’t you? It’s the same with non-believers.
The next time someone verbally attacks you, trying to get you to stay silent about what Jesus has done for you, just remember that the light coming from your testimony is shattering their darkness. But whatever you do, don’t allow them to flip your switch and turn you off. Instead, shine brighter!
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
