I had never really thought of a cloak of shame and how easy it is to wear until the other day. I was having a conversation with a wonderful person who mentioned it. It’s easy for us to envelop ourselves in a cloak of shame. Many many people have a childhood that is difficult and even shameful, gruesome, hurtful, painful. As children, there are circumstances that are completely out of our control, yet the shame they seem to cast on our souls is often hard to shake off.
I think back to the time I have felt ashamed, not at my bad behaviour, but at unfortunate circumstances that have been thrust upon me. Embarrassment and shame at not being able to do something or go somewhere because there was not enough money. It was grovelling and humiliating, yet was not my fault. It was difficult on those occasions not to wrap myself entirely in a cloak of shame.
Picture from Sufficient Grace Ministries.
Where we live, how much we have, what job we do, how accepted we feel, how positive our relationships are, how our family behaves – may all lead to a degree of being ashamed. Many shameful circumstances are outside of our control. We cannot control others. We can only control ourselves.
The pitiful little 11 year old that I was, so ashamed of my circumstances, wrapped in a shawl of shame, soon changed.
I didn’t know that I was clothed in shame. But when I had that conversation with my friend, it made me think back to the self-conscious pity that I felt had been cast upon me by sympathetic onlookers and the thick cloak of shame descended on me.
I tell you when it came off.
17th July 1979.
When Jesus came in.
That was the difference.
My crumbling foundation got strengthened with an immeasurable Force Who would always have my back, constantly remind me that I was loved and nothing would change that.
It’s easy to put the cloak of shame on again. I thought of some of the words that are associated with wearing the cloak of shame – guilt – hurt – broken relationships – feeling judged – feeling unaccepted – rejection.
The truth is, while others may contribute to the cloak of shame, we are the ones who take it – we take the misery and let it embrace us. If you say something to someone and they are offended by it – they ‘take offence.’ Offence has to be taken. If someone says something to you which is hurtful, let it go. Don’t embrace it. That’s the way with offence and it is also the way with the cloak of shame. You have to take it.
If you have been wearing it, it’s time to take it off. God wants His cloak of acceptance and love around you – wear that rather.
If you have caused the shame to yourself, ‘go and sin no more.’
John 8
The Woman Caught in Adultery
…10 Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” 11“No one, Lord.” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you. Jesus declared. “Now” go and sin no more.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂