We've explored the nature of shame and its impact on our lives. Now, let's turn towards the crucial question: how do we actually heal from shame? I want to offer encouragement

Shame isn't just an emotion; it's a physical experience. Think about your own "shame response" – a flush, sweating palms, a nervous habit. Our bodies often manifest shame before our minds fully process it.

Witnessing my toddler, Jack, experience shame for the first time during potty training was a poignant reminder of this complex emotion's impact. His innocent freedom suddenly met the weight of feeling he'd done something wrong.

One of the fascinating, and sometimes unsettling, aspects of shame is how deeply it's shaped by the culture we inhabit. Culture acts as a powerful, often unseen, current, dictating what is deemed acceptable and what should be hidden.

Shame often arises from the space between our current reality and our aspirations. We envision embodying certain qualities—honesty, competence, compassion, and care—that define belonging within our communities.

Shame often attaches itself to the parts of our lives we try to conceal, yet it can inadvertently define us. Our aim is to help you identify these hidden areas and invite Jesus into them, discovering His presence in those very spaces.