The key to being delivered from shame is rejoicing in the gospel.

It is simple, but it is challenging, and for many, they have lived in years of bondage that has kept them from their calling and assignment.

Shame is the belief that something is inherently wrong with me. Shame says, “who I am is not good enough.” This completely goes against the core truth of the gospel.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.

Psalm 32:1 ESV

In Christ, we have been fully forgiven. Therefore there is no reason to have shame. The core of who we are as sinners who deserve death has been redeemed. We are now co-heirs with Christ and inheritors of all of God’s promises (Romans 8).

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:18-21 ESV

During one of Paul’s most extensive imprisonments, He said that the only response to the mocking and persecution He went through was to rejoice.

Why?

It is written plainly in the scripture, but how easy it is to overlook it.

He rejoiced for two reasons.

1. In verse 18, he says, “ Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed.” He rejoiced because Christ was being proclaimed.

2. In the following verse, he says, “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance….” He rejoices because, ultimately, Jesus will bring forth deliverance from his place of suffering.

Often we are stuck in shame not because God does not want us to be free, not because God has not delivered us, but because we have chosen to keep our focus on what we are not rather than on what Christ has done and is presently doing as a result of His finished work.

Paul rejoiced Christ was being proclaimed. Paul knew this because, during his imprisonment, he constantly inquired about the well-being of the Church. As a true apostle and servant of Christ Jesus, his focus was on the body of Christ. He did not have the time or the mental capacity to be concerned about how others perceived him or even to wallow in the failures of his life. He was living the reality prophetically outlined for us in Hebrews 12.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Apostle Paul knew that the purpose of his life was to live for Jesus Christ. He believed it, and he lived it.

Paul could hear about the ongoings of the Church through his brothers and sisters in Christ, but how did Paul know that his suffering would turn out for his deliverance?

I believe he was communing with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In his time with God, he was convicted of God’s redemptive plan in the enemy's resistance in his ministry of preaching the gospel. That is to say, it is not that God wanted Paul to go to prison, but Paul understood that he was in a spiritual war. He understood that the enemy was working overtime to kill his ministry. He knew that Jesus was greater than the force of that resistance. He rejoiced because he knew that resurrection power was at work in his life.

I know this because he says it a couple of chapters later in the book of Philippians:

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:8-11 ESV

Paul wanted to experience resurrection. He wanted to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection. Because of this, he understood that he must “become like him in his death.” How did Paul do this? He did not go out looking for trouble or pain and suffering; instead, he was obedient to the call of God upon his life. When he obeyed Heaven’s mandate over his life, it led him into territories occupied by the enemy. He intentionally, being led by the Spirit, entered territories where attacks and backlash could be expected because demonic principalities were residing over the place.

While I am sure Paul experienced his moments of fear and doubt (because he, too, was human), his fellowship with the Lord kept him strongly convicted of the outcome of victory.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

How do you overcome shame in your life?

Stop caring about your life. We are often stuck in shame because our eyes are on ourselves and our shortcomings and not on Christ. The world will tell you to do more therapy and do more inner healing work, and while these are tools that Christ will use (and are necessary for many of us— including myself), ultimately, the breakthrough comes in seeing Christ face-to-face. Trying to do anything else before prioritizing this fundamental, transformational experience will leave you running around in circles of stagnancy, burnout, fear, and shame.

Are you ready to overcome shame in your life?

I want you to let me know in the comments (1) where you are believing God for freedom and (2) how you are going to apply what you learned here in this post.

God bless you!

If you haven’t already, consider joining my Ministry School for Business so you can learn how to hear God’s voice over your business ideas and pursuits. We have a daily prayer call and weekly bible study that will be a great blessing to you in gaining the momentum you need to overcome shame and walk in your God-given purpose in entrepreneurship.