God Understands Your Shame
God could and would if He were sought—AA Slogan
Father,
My heart aches,
And I feel so unworthy
To come before You.
I feel worthless and,
By the contemptuous smirks of others,
I’m certain they are right.
I feel so ashamed of myself,
And nobody is there to say,
“It’s okay. God is there for you
No matter what.”
I feel like I need to cringe and shy away—
Never again to hold my head high.
I feel like I should skulk in the darkness,
Rather than boldly embrace the light.
I feel like You don’t love me, Father,
And I wonder, How could You?
I know I don’t love myself.
And yet, in the depth of my self-pity,
You are there with me, always vigilant,
Always available, always telling me,
My child, I know what you’ve done.
I know how badly you feel.
I know that you think your life has no value,
But that’s not how I see you—not at all.
In spite of everything, I love you
Just the way you are.
This is why I sent My Son.
He paid the price for your shame,
Washing you whiter than snow.
Now, leave the past behind.
Hold your head high and walk
With Me confidently into the future.
I still have a plan for you—
A plan filled with hope and promise.
Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails; do not hide Thy face from me, lest I become like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in Thee; Teach me the way in which I should walk; for the Thee I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I take refuge in Thee. (Psalm 143:7-9)
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