Letting Go of Shame

By Paula WiIlliamson, guest writer

I once heard a story that has stayed with me my entire life. An old missionary saw a man carrying a huge load on his shoulders and stopped to give him a ride. The man accepted and sat in the back seat. As they traveled, the missionary glanced in the rearview mirror in surprise to see the man breathing hard and still holding the load on his shoulders. He asked why. The man replied, “You were so generous to give me a ride. I can’t ask you to carry my load as well. As foolish as this seems, we do the same thing with the baggage of shame. Jesus paid for our forgiveness and shame. We need no longer carry it. Let it go!”

It Is Written

ISAIAH 61:7 Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

Easier Said Than Done

This story is a powerful reminder of how absurd it is to continue carrying our shame after Jesus paid for it with His life. He left nothing undone. His last words were, “It is finished.” It is time to lay all our burdens at the feet of Jesus and receive the gift of forgiveness He paid for with His life. For the joy set before Him, He endured the shame. It would be an insult not to receive such an extravagant gift and to live in the freedom He purchased.

Takeaway

He promises me everlasting joy and a double portion of honor rather than shame.