Responding to Shame

1. Responding to Shame

2. 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

4. 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

5. Judges 13 • Samson was a type of Christ. • - name means “sunlight” • - miraculous birth • - supernatural strength • - called to be a deliverer

6. THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME • Denial

7. THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME • Denial • “Let’s keep the family secrets.”

8. THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME • Denial • Pride

9. THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME • Denial • Pride- this response is becoming much more prevalent in modern America, particularly with the sin of homosexuality.

10. 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

11. THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME • Denial • Pride • Humility

12. Paul If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 2 Corinthians 11:30

13. Humility cannot flow from a position of moral superiority.

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

15. THREE POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO SHAME • Denial • Pride • Humility

16. Humility • Forgiving the person who caused the shame is the path to humility.

17. 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.

18. 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