A Meditation for Shame

In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve sinned and attempted to hide themselves because of shame, God comes looking for them. Not to condemn or keep them in their shame, but to begin taking the necessary steps to make things right again. He comes extending His mercy and grace — foreshadowing how He will make a way for all of us all through Christ.

It is our belief in the Father’s love that helps us to resist temptation while freeing us from the burdens, failures, and mistakes of our past. In Christ, we are free.

It is the Spirit’s role to convict us not only of our sin, but also of God’s grace (Romans 8). This meditation is written for those who know their sin and have asked for forgiveness, yet continue to feel trapped by their shame.

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Imagine you are laying on an open field of grass on a beautiful sunny day. It’s mid-morning, the sky is blue, the air warm and gentle. The sun embraces you with warmth. A soft breeze carries your breath into the wind.

Allow your mind to fill in any other sounds and sensations in this beautiful, safe space.

Notice your breathing. Pay attention to the sensations of the breath with each new inhale, followed by each exhale. Try not to control your breathing in any way. Just let your body breathe by itself.

Now, as you breathe, feel your body with each exhale sinking into the earth beneath you. With each breath, you sink deeper and deeper into the soft grass.

Now, bring your awareness to the sun shining over each part of your body. Take note of how it feels to let each part of your body be exposed by the light.

Notice how this feels on your face, shoulders, arms, chest, stomach, pelvis, thighs, knees, shins, and feet. Allow the sun’s warm rays to relax and soften each part of your body.

Take a moment to rest here.

Now, allow the light to touch any places in your body where shame dwells.

Notice what comes up for you. Allow any memories, thoughts, sensations, or feeling to rise to your awareness, and without judgement, just acknowledge their presence. Try not to let the thought carry you away, but just notice it being touched by the light’s warm embrace.

Here, all parts of you are exposed.

Notice too, what this feels like.

Consider now, the Holy Spirit as Light, filling and holding every part of you — including any places of darkness, regret, worry, or shame — with compassion and care. Be filled with His grace, and allow this grace to wash over your whole body.

His love is light, shining over you and filling every part of your being.

Meditations from Scripture

Continue to allow the Spirit to shine on you, here in this beautiful, open field, and meditate on the following passage from Romans 8 (the Message translation):

“With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.”

Romans 8, the Message

Here are additional passages for reflection:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  Psalm 103:12

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

The Spirit enters into our distress, our shame, and carries it with us and for us to the very throne of God.

My friend, you are seen, you are forgiven. You are loved.

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For other meditations, see my step-by-step meditation on Being God’s Beloved, or my guided imagery piece on Psalm 23.