I am continuing to work on my series of blog posts about anxiety and depression; however, before sharing any further, I think I need to declare this first.

A Declaration

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 12:2

I’m currently reading a book about how to close the divide between what we know in our heads about God and what we truly believe in our hearts. Satan uses shame, via lies, to keep us covered; to keep us hiding; to keep us running. I’ve read this verse hundreds of times, but saw it anew, this morning. Jesus came to not only MAKE a way for us (reconciliation to God through His death and resurrection), but He also came to SHOW us the way (how to walk out our lives…to be holy as He is holy). He endured the cross and scorned its shame! He didn’t run, nor did He hide. He faced it and then defeated it! And then sat down at the right hand of the Father!!

What would it look like if we did the same? Satan uses our shame to keep us from the life God is calling us to. Imagine what it might look like if we faced the thing (or things) that Satan uses to shame us…and then defeated it by not allowing it to have power over us, anymore?! THAT is the only way to truly, fully, and wholly break free.

Most refuse to walk this path because in order to overcome our shame we must first, expose it. Honestly, who really wants to do that?! I don’t. But I long for freedom, so I believe that is why I’ve decided to begin sharing my story and exposing my shame. May God use it as He will and be glorified throughout the process.

So…

I will focus on the joy set before me, by fixing my eyes on Jesus.

I will expose the lies.

Face the shame.

Defeat it!

And then walk in the freedom Christ died for me to have.

The enemy will certainly oppose my decision and fight me every step of the way. He already is. I am actually writing this while pushing through a raging migraine after days of being ill. But I’m tired of living in defeat.

Jesus is the joy set before me just as, I believe, I was the joy set before Him. So, I will heed the words Jesus spoke to His disciples when He said, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26) NOTHING in this world is worth forfeiting my soul…certainly not my pride. So, I will lose my life for Him.

You know what else is amazing about this whole process? Not only do we get to walk in freedom as Christ sets us free from our shame…but we get to help others find freedom from their shame. Simply because we are willing to share our journey with them.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36) Let it be so.