Have You Ever Felt That Sting of Shame?
Have you ever felt that sting of shame? That moment when you just want to hide, pull the covers over your head, and disappear? Shame has a way of whispering that we’re not enough.
If you have ever felt like damaged goods, this devotional is for you.
From Shame to Adoption
In Genesis, we witness humanity’s first encounter with shame. “Both Adam and Eve were naked, but felt no shame” (Genesis 2:25).
Then, sin entered, and suddenly “they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” (Genesis 3:7).
Just like us. When shame hits, we scramble to cover. We craft our own “fig-leaf solutions.”
But God. (Two of the most powerful words the world will ever hear.) God’s love intervenes when we feel the wound of disappointment.
Like Adam and Eve, He doesn’t leave us in our makeshift coverings.
“The LORD made clothing for them” (Genesis 3:21).
God went beyond covering—He adopted us into His family. Romans 8:15 reminds us, “You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father!'”
Through Christ, we’re not just forgiven; we’re fully embraced as children. “See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!” (1 John 3:1).
Consider the woman who had suffered with bleeding for twelve years. Imagine the shame she carried—physically unclean according to Jewish law, socially isolated, financially drained. But desperation pushed her past her shame. She reached through the crowd just to touch Jesus’ garment.
What happened next? Not only was she healed, but Jesus called her “daughter” publicly. He didn’t whisper it. He didn’t pull her aside. He called her by her true identity—a daughter of God—restoring her dignity right there in front of everyone who had previously rejected her.
That’s the power of adoption. Galatians 4:4-7 declares, “God sent his Son… to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.”
From slaves to shame to heirs of God’s kingdom. That’s our story.
The Psalmist wrote about this truth: “Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed” (Psalm 34:5).
Notice the direction—we look to Him, not at our shame. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, radiance replaces disgrace.
In Ephesians 1:5, Paul reveals God’s eternal plan: “He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Our adoption wasn’t an afterthought—it was God’s intention from the beginning.
We all have reasons to feel shame. But through the blood of Jesus, we’ve been cleansed, made new, and given a new identity. Like the woman with the issue of blood, he calls us his daughters and sons.
Whatever shame you’re carrying today—bring it to Jesus. He specializes in exchange programs: beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, praise for despair… and the spirit of adoption for the spirit of fear.
Prayer
Father, thank You for not leaving me in my shame but adopting me into Your family. Like the woman who reached for Your garment, I reach for You today, knowing You call me Your child. Thank You for the spirit of adoption that replaces my spirit of fear. Help me to live in the confidence of being Your beloved daughter/son. Expose every fig leaf I’m using to cover myself and clothe me instead with Your love and acceptance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Bible Verses to Highlight, Or Verse Map
1. Romans 8:15-16 (CSB)
“You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
2. Ephesians 1:5 (CSB)
“He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”
3. Galatians 4:6-7 (CSB)
“And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.”
4. 1 John 3:1 (CSB)
“See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!”
Journal Questions
1. Reflection Question: In what areas of your life are you still living as if you’re a slave to shame rather than a child of God? How might embracing your identity as God’s adopted daughter/son change how you view these situations?
2. Application Question: The woman with the issue of blood had to reach through her shame to touch Jesus’ garment. What bold step of faith might God be asking you to take today as His beloved child, even when shame makes you want to remain hidden?
Leave a Reply