Tag: #shame

Restoring Faith and Identity after Shame and Loss

It was October 2023 when I finally admitted that I was scammed. I couldn’t believe it – how foolish could I be?!! I lost a huge 6-figure sum, but more than that, I lost all my confidence, trust and identity. For months, I cried tears of shame and guilt.

WEEK 8 Theme: Restoring Faith and Identity after Shame and Loss

The experience of being scammed brought deep meaning to the words, “God’s redemption and restoration” – as I lived through it in a real and painful way. I was brought to a lonely desert place, where God redeemed me with His grace and restored me with His love. When all I could feel was shame and I wanted to run far away from God, He pursued me relentlessly with His fierce love and held me tightly in His loving grace.

He brought friends who prayed and supported me, books that enlightened me, and songs that helped me weep. He restored my shaken faith and broken identity. He restored me by renewing who I am.

Weekly Intention

Each of us has past experiences of shame and guilt – but they do not define us:

  1. Identity one past experience that has haunted you for a long time. Find a safe time and space to sit with it and experience the emotions, however painful or uncomfortable they are.
  2. Place your pain and suffering at the foot of the cross – releasing them to our Great Healer, Jesus.
  3. Simply ask Jesus: Please heal me, redeem me and restore me.
  4. Thank God for His great love, mercy and compassion.

Our negative past experiences will continue to hold us captive if we do not release them to God – trapping us with their lies about who we are – lies that we are not enough, or we can’t be trusted, or we have nothing to offer.

I rebuilt my confidence through God’s faithfulness. The money may or may not return in the same form, but something deeper already has – my identity as a daughter of God. This post today is my testimony of God’s redemption and restoration. And also to close this chapter of my life, so that I can move on to new chapters.

Question: What lie did shame plant in me – and what trust is God restoring in my life?

Disciplined by Grace, Not Guilt

I’ve been struggling with discipline in my life for the past decade. I used to be a lot more disciplined, especially during my school days. Nowadays. I usually avoid discipline and end up feeling guilty for things I supposed to do, for example, regular exercise and sleep early. Discipline is no fun when I want to scroll social media or watch movies…!

God is revealing to me that true discipline is born out of grace. It transforms discipline from something we have to do into something we get to do. It is not a punishment that strips us of our freedom and joy, but God’s grace redeeming us to do His will.

Discipline Begins with Devotion

Before we can be disciplined in habits, we must be devoted in heart. Discipline without love leads to burnout, but devotion fuels consistency. When our hearts are anchored in God’s grace, we naturally desire to align our days with His will.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well – Matthew 6:33

Grace, Not Guilt, is our Motivation

Guilt drives us through fear of failure. Grace draws us through love. When we fail, guilt condemns us; grace lifts us up to begin again. Every morning is another chance to walk in step with God – not to earn His approval, but to respond to His love.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Discipline Shapes, Not Shames

God’s discipline isn’t about punishment – it’s about preparation. He disciplines those He loves, not to break us down, but to build us up for greater things. The boundaries He sets are not walls to confine us, but guardrails to guide us.

For the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in – Proverbs 3:12

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: when you fall short, don’t run from discipline – run back to grace. I promise you: God is not waiting to punish you, but to guide and lead you back in His grace.