When you’ve been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, it undermines your self-worth. You think, ‘If someone did that to me, there must be something wrong with me.’ You feel like your soul is soiled; like you’re ‘damaged goods’. But you’re not!
These two Scriptures are from God’s lips to your heart: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again and you…will be rebuilt’ (Jeremiah 31:3-4 NIV 2011 Edition). ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past…I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland’ (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV 2011 Edition).
What happened to you was bad, but you are not bad! Today God says: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God’ (Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV 2011 Edition).
Shame and depression go hand in hand. And while doctors can prescribe medication for depression, there’s no remedy for shame - except the medicine of God’s Word. So instead of believing your thoughts and emotions, stand on God’s Word regardless of how you feel. Being ashamed of who you are is like being perpetually punished - except you’re doing it to yourself. What’s the solution? ‘Let God change the way you think.’
Job 22-24, 1 Cor 4
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