We have been created in God’s likeness, and God’s emotions are revealed in the Scriptures; therefore, God created us emotional beings. Sometimes our emotions are pleasant to experience and sometimes not. In either case, emotions can be helpful indicators of what is going on in our hearts. This is never truer than when we feel sadness and shame.
Both sadness and shame are strong emotions. Throughout the Bible, we discover many examples of both. We also find in Scripture that both are a result of the Fall. The Fall speaks of the tragic event of Adam and Eve’s sin that has devastating consequences on all humanity. Instead of trusting God, they chose out of selfish pride to rebel against God. The result of the Fall was universal: a corrupt nature, guilt before God, interpersonal conflict and separation from God. These results were transmitted to all humanity after Adam and Eve. It is due to this crushing reality, which all of us face that God sent His Son to die for our sin and be resurrected for our salvation. Those in Christ have been rescued – redeemed. However, this side of paradise we still wrestle with being in Christ, while living in a fallen world.
The psalmist proclaims: “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). This verse gives an “ordinary” life span; many live fewer years (due to violence, accident, and disease), and some live longer. The real point is that our lives as quite brief compared to eternity. Due to living in a fallen world we all experience toil (or pain) and trouble during our brief span of life.
Both sorrow and shame are the result of sin either directly (sin we have committed) or indirectly (the result of the sin or others or the state of this fallen world). Therefore, it is important to remember that not all sin is caused by the sin we commit. Sometimes it’s living in a sin-cursed world. For instance look at Job. Job (a man whose account is found in the Old Testament book bearing his name) was one who experienced great sorrow and sadness, through no fault of his own. He even had to endure three friends who accused him of bringing this hardship upon himself. However, God reveals to Job that even though he might not understand why God allowed what He did He (God) is trustworthy. This is true for all of us. The psalmist declares: “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30). Since God’s ways are “perfect,” we can trust Him no matter the circumstances.
We also discover in God’s Word that sorrow and shame, not brought to the Lord, will devastate a person. King David writes in the Psalms about the guilt and shame he felt due to some grievous sins he had committed. He also writes about the deliverance he received from the Lord. “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1-2). Sorrow and shame are real emotions, but so too is the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.
Brené Brown in her book, Daring Greatly, writes: “If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.” As we place our trust in the Lord, sharing our sorrow and shame, He will lead us to rest in His peace. As we enter into trusting relationships with trustworthy believers God will use these relationships to bring about His healing and joy. The real question is how will each of us choose to deal with sorrow and shame. I hope we will bring both to the Lord to find true healing and His peace.
It is a privilege to serve with each of you. Although the topics of sorrow and shame deserve more than a short writing, I do believe even a brief overview leads us to the reality that to find healing and peace we must trust in God’s faithfulness. We may not understand the what and why of life’s various circumstances, but we can be sure of the who. God loves each of us and desires to saturate us with His love and peace. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!