How many of you avoid going to the doctor because he/she will body shame you? How many of you have had nearly every illness or malady blamed on your weight? You don’t have to answer of course, but I’m raising my hand to the first one. As to the second, my doctor blamed everything on depression and anxiety (which is still attaching a label), then, body shamed me. After I had a talk with him, he quit doing that. More recently he’s categorized everything as allergies.
This isn’t a problem limited to the medical field. It’s everywhere. Shaming someone for who they are, labeling them, is just another form of abuse, and another version of bullying.
In the past, we’ve prayed for the bullies, in hopes of softening their hearts and opening their eyes to the lives they destroy. I pray that our prayers did some good somewhere. This week we’ll pray for those who carry around the burden of shame; either shame put on them through abuse, or self-imposed for sins committed in the past.
A wonderful Christian woman and teacher explained the difference between guilt and shame this way: guilt says, “what I did was bad,” whereas shame says, “I am bad.” Let’s lift up brothers and sisters who are carrying these burdens.
Bible Verse of the Day
But the Lord God helps me;
Isaiah 50:7 ESV
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,*
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
- * In other words, Jesus was determined to endure the pain and humiliation that awaited Him. (Read Isaiah 50:6-9).
Prayer
Dearest Father – we are humbled at everything Jesus endured for us; the pain and suffering, the humiliation He submitted to in order to pay the price for our sins. We are thankful, Father, and can never repay Him for this greatest gift. Because He suffered these trials as a man, He knows what some of His children suffer in this life.
We can take everything to You, Father, and know You’ll understand. Lord, we ask that You wrap a hedge of healing around those who are experiencing shame. If it’s self-imposed shame, please help them to let it go and give it all up to You. Remind them of Your love and mercy. Remind them to do so if they need to repent, and let the healing begin.
Father, if they are suffering shame at the hand of another, please help them know that the lies of others do not define them. Hold them in Your loving arms, Father, and comfort them. Open their eyes and let them see how You see them, how loved ones see them.
Lord, we continue to lift up to You all of the people in Ukraine who are suffering greatly. Please stop the war. Please bring peace and healing to their people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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