Shame

Precious friend,
Are you bent over with burdens of shame?
Does a memory cause your face to cloud, and your heart to cry regret?
Maybe you hide a continual shame,
That you think only is known by you,
But Oh, how your heart cries to be set free...
Is this shame causing you to think yourself unworthy...
Unworthy of the grace of God,
Unworthy of His blessings,
Unworthy of His goodness...?
Has the shame of a rash decision, a heated argument, or a compulsive choice...lowered your head?
Yes, you have tried to conceal,
Tried to make everything appear fine,
But inside you know that one thing...
That continues to haunt you with defeat and failure.

The Lord sees it all, knows it all.
This shame you bear has not altered His opinion of you,
It has not erased His acceptance of you, nor removed His love for you...
He knows what is causing your head to hang,
He knows what continues to cloud the spark of light and hope from your eyes.
He know all about shame...

He experienced it to the fullest degree
When all the shame and guilt from humanity, past, present, and future was placed upon Him...

Yes, He bore your shame so you wouldn't have to carry it anymore.
He stands before you now and gently whispers,

"Lift up your head, my beloved.
 Look in My eyes of love,
 Observe the nail prints in My hands,
 I took the shame so you wouldn't have to carry it.
 I want you to lift your head,
 You are shame-free,
 A new wave of My grace is washing you even now...
 I took your shame and gave you My righteousness.
 I want you to receive this gift from Me.
 I accept you...
 I want you whole...
 I paid for your shame, you are now free..."

Psalms 145:14 "Those bent over with burdens of shame You will lift up."