Breaking the Cycle of Guilt and Shame

Don’t miss the special announcement below.


Team Member, Melissa Bell

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm then,
and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1

As a new Christian, I found myself trapped in a cycle of guilt and shame.  The enemy loves to remind us where we have come from — and my road has had quite a few bumps along the way.

However, I was blessed with a wise friend during my first year as a new believer who taught me to apply  practical principles that help break the cycle of guilt and shame.

  1. Pick a Verse: God’s Word is full of wisdom but can also be daunting.  Don’t let that keep you from declaring the truth of God’s Word in your life.  Reciting scripture aloud reminds us of how good our God is.  Write down a few verses that speak to you and begin to memorize them.  These verses will serve as an anchor during stressful and challenging times.
  2. Find a Trusted Friend: Christ is the only perfect person to ever walk the Earth so having an accountability partner is especially helpful as we seek to become more like Christ.  Make a pact with a trusted friend to encourage and support each other as you navigate this world.  It’s important this person is a Godly woman who has proven herself worthy of your trust and will always point you to what scripture says.  You want someone with whom you can be authentic and transparent; an unspoken struggle or sin are fuel for the enemy’s fire.
  3. Give it to God: Jesus died for our sins, every single one of them.  When we sin, we are to seek God’s grace and mercy through prayer and repentance.  At no point are we called to carry shame around on this earth; that lie is straight from the enemy himself!

I recently came across a great explanation of the difference between shame and repentance. Shame is self-focused and pulls us away from God.  Repentance is God-focused and leads us to God.” *

Fortunately, our freedom is not reliant on our abilities.  Stay focused on the One who gave it all and Who breaks our cycles of guilt and shame.


*(JOB | An unlikely story of Joy by Lisa Harper)


Prayer Needed!

As we plan for the upcoming fall/winter season, we would SO covet your prayer support.   I often pray the old hymn, “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.”

We desire to bring relevant, life-changing topics, messages and speakers for all of our events.  Our world needs Jesus more than ever before.  His girls, (you and me) need encouragement and spiritual growth enabling us to stand firm despite ever-changing cultural and societal norms.  We need fresh courage in a world that increasingly despises, mocks, ridicules, and persecutes anyone who proclaims to dare live the Bible.

With these things in mind, I humbly ask for your help.   Your prayers matter.   Please add KGM to your prayer list.

Lastly, I have a very special project I’m working on.  It’s a prayer tool for women.  It’s birthed from my own personal prayer time.  I’ve been more determined than ever-before to pray God’s Word over my family, marriage and ministry. Praying God’s Word is POWERFUL and effective.

I had no intention of publishing this tool, but a few months ago, I sensed the nudge to share.  More to come!  But needless to say, I need your prayers.  I’m close to completion, but I need His perseverance to finish the work.  You cannot imagine how easily I’m distracted;)  Jesus, help me!

Love to you all.  I so appreciate your readership and support.  It means more than you’ll ever know.

Tara

Author: Tara