Column Post by Aj Luck
Have you ever heard a song lyric that stung with revelation? This week I heard Dara Maclean’s song, “Unreachable.”
You’ve been waiting to be rescued from your shame
But He was there before you called his name
It got me thinking. Shame is subtle, seductive. It lures us into the dark places of mental isolation and distraction. It is patient, plotting out opportunities to strike. Holding up a mirror to our heart, it reminds us of the scarring and wounding of the past. Forced to look into its mirror, we are subtly pulled into guilt and self-condemnation. The words, “It’s my fault” are invisible shackles binding our heart in bitterness and fear.
Shame tries to keep us from running into the arms of the one who has the key. When the enemy of our soul shows us our failures and shortcomings we must press into our Creator beyond our flaws, choosing to see as God sees. It’s not always easy.
For years I walked around unknowingly cuddling my shame like a beloved teddy bear, ashamed to admit that I struggled with depression, fear, and food addiction. I tried to not only hide it, but justify it—just like it wanted me to. Curling up in the bowels of condemnation I believed I deserved it. People conveniently came into my life passing their graceless judgements, leaving me further in despair.
I not only isolated, I preferred it. I came to accept my lot in life.
I walked past mirrors and large storefront windows and did everything within my power to NOT look at my reflection. I was never able to simply see the beautiful being that my Creator crafted with his very hands. I saw my flaws and shortcomings.
Not only was my heart fed lies but my eyes were coated with a salve that blurred my sight into mirages sold to me as truth.
When the least bit of courage to confront the things that haunted me surfaced, I ran.
I ran further away from God fearing that I was too far gone. I had a mental image in my head of God sitting on his throne in Heaven, beside which was a large basket of Advil, and that when I would crawl up to Him meagerly begging forgiveness, He would reach down, pop a few Advil, and sigh heavily saying, “WHAT NOW!” It sounds funny now, but I really believed this.
1) I seriously doubt there is Advil in Heaven
2) GOD NEVER responds to us that way. EVER! No matter what we have done when we simply utter His name for help He comes RUNNING toward us with open arms ready to heal, eager to comfort.
Psalms 139:11-12(NLT) “If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me. For even darkness can not hide from God, to you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.”
Don’t believe the lies, my friend. You are never unreachable!
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P.S. We’d love to know your thoughts, so please be sure to comment below. Each of our commenters will be entered in a drawing for our current FREE book giveaway, Mothers & Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship by author Teena Stewart.
Aj Luck is an author, blogger, bookworm, wife, and mommy. She loves to write children’s books, spiritual thrillers and inspirational works. She has a dedicated blog geared toward encouraging and helping women who have suffered and/or are struggling with abuse. www.shatteredperspectives.com
In her spare time Aj can be found nursing cold Diet Cokes and searching for awesome bargains in nearby thrift stores. She resides in Florida with her hubby, son, two dogs and the biggest diva of a Siamese cat ever. You can email her at aj@shatteredperspectives.com
Read more encouraging stories from brave-hearted women here. Be sure to grab your free copy of inspirational quotes and writing prompts while you’re there. (Look over on the right hand side!)
One of the devil’s top lies. “Don’t even bother, you’re too far gone.” or its cousin; “You brought this on yourself, how can you dare ask God to get you out of it.” These lies keep us bound and immobile, right where our enemy wants us.
But we know the truth, and the truth has set us free!
Amen Beth.. AMEN. 🙂
Thank you for writing truth. Thank you for reminding us that even darkness cannot hide from God.
Karen
Thank you so much!
Sometimes we all need this little reminder- self included! I wrote this as a much needed reminder to me..but also hoping that others would be encouraged as well.
It is so wonderful rest in the assurance of God’s embrance…NO. MATTER. WHAT.
🙂
(((Hugs!)))
Aj
Shame. It’s powerful. It’s demeaning. I know. I was raised by an abusive mother and shame was used as a form of control. I was shamed for things that I should have never been made to feel ashamed about.
I loved your post. My sin, shame and guilt (both false and real) drove me to my knees on the floor of my bedroom at the age of 26 (40 years ago.) It took me YEARS to work through what was real and what was false. It was hard. Sometimes still is.
I love the lyrics you quoted: “You’ve been waiting to be rescued from your shame,
But He was there before you called his name”
How true it is. I would not know the freedom I have, from mental anguish and verbal and emotional abuse, if not for Jesus my Saviour. He always knew my name, even when I was waiting to be rescued.
{hugs}
really beautifully written AJ. Thank you so much for the reminder…God is mad about us!