A few days ago, I ran into a situation that made me feel ashamed. Ashamed in a way that the finger was pointed at me. I pointed the finger at me, labeling myself as inadequate and incompetent. I was conversing with one of my colleagues to the point that I cried because I saw that it really hit me that I don’t particularly appreciate feeling like I am “bad.”, based on the profession that I was in.

Do you sometimes feel like you judge yourself harshly because something happened? What occurred led me to believe I was a ‘bad’ professional. But was I a bad professional? No. Did I wish that this situation happened differently? Definitely!

But I realized how I labeled myself began in the past (this is me counseling myself, haha). I was told I was a bad child because I did something fun though I was not fully aware of how bad it was. As a child, I wanted to have fun, and it seemed like that fun was being taken away, and it turned into something that was, or what I would call immoral.

As I write this, I realize that I have to catch myself. What happened to me occurred long ago and did not represent me anymore. That is not my identity. My identity is in Christ. I have to keep telling myself that I am not bad but a new creation in Christ. A child of GOD. GOD does not label me as bad but as a holy child of GOD through Christ Jesus.

I am writing this because there may be some of you going through a situation where you feel shame, and you don’t think you can walk away from this shame. But I am here to tell you, or write you, that your past does not determine who you are or who you will be in the future. When GOD calls you, you will be changed by faith in Jesus Christ. He’s faithful to do it because GOD faith is BIG.

Your identity is not in your past but in GOD. GOD calls you righteous because of the redemption of Jesus Christ’s blood and the forgiveness of sin. As my favorite evangelist would say, our sin has not been covered but washed away, never to be seen again.

Even the name you used to call yourself or labeled yourself as has been washed away because you’ve put on a new identity, a new robe of righteousness.

“Now may the GOD of peace make you holy every day, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our LORD Jesus Christ comes again. GOD Will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NLT

Living as a new person, a Christian, helped me learn that my identity in Christ has to be locked and sure in every way. I have to wear the armor of GOD at all times because situations, any situation, will cause you to question your identity. Because no matter what position you’re in, you are representing Christ and carrying your new identity, not your old one.

And we shall overcome this life by the lamb’s blood and our testimony’s word!

I am still on his journey, believing that GOD is exposing my heart and renewing my mind in HIM. Being exposed’s not easy, but walking the narrow way is necessary. And I thank Him for it because I need it. I am a new creation, and I need to walk a new creation. A need to be a light in the darkness. If you are a Christian, you should too.

What do you think? Have you ever felt shame? Do you currently live in shame? Why is that? If you desire, leave a message in the comments, and we can pray together and encourage each other.

Until next time. All Glory to GOD and the Lamb forever and ever.

***I currently have a coaching program I am presently constructing that talks focus on thriving in life. No matter what you’re going through, you might find yourself in trouble and going through difficulty, whether outward or inward, but do you know you have what it takes to get through it? In Christ, you can! In my Rise and Thrive Coaching program, we will work together to rise above our situations and soar on wings like eagles. If you’re interested, let me know in the comments below! It is under construction, but we’re getting it done!