“For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed”. – Romans 10.11(KJV).
Shame is a product of a very poor performance. It is a feeling of humiliation and dishonor resulting from failure or an act of disappointment. Shame if not properly handled can lead to suicide as in the case of Ahithophel. In some cases shame can be a product of excessive pride. A proud person who has overestimated himself may fail in a bid and get very disillusioned and ashamed. Such individual may as a result of arrogant disposition exhibited prior to the result of an action be unable to face the same audience of his egocentric attitude. These were the problems of Ahithophel coupled with the fact that he joined Absalom on a revenge mission against David, been the grandfather of Bathsheba Uriah’s wife, he had not forgiven David for bringing shame to his household. He was consumed with the rage of revenge and was hasty to get at David. When eventually his counsel was defeated his pride could not take it, the bible said he went home, put his house in order and committed suicide. That is the ultimate of shame. Many young men had had such experience emanating from failure and instead of defeating shame by viewing failure as raw material for success, they descended further into depression and consequently became victim of satanic enslavement and death. The only antidote to shame is rebirth in Christ Jesus. When Christ died at the cross he took along with other things our shame. The shame and humiliation we were to suffer he took it away. stated in Hebrew 12:2(KJV) “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”. As Christian we look up to God for guidance as Christ is our standard bearer. Because we are led by God he guides us in judgement and shows us the way (Psalm 25:9). We cannot be victims of shame when we are led by God. In the above quotation the bible instructs us to be ‘looking unto Jesus’. As Christian we need to look unto Jesus for proper guidance and direction. He is the light that lights everyman that comes into this world. This the reason the Psalmist said in Psalm 34:5(KJV). “They looked unto him , and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed”. My dear reader it is my heart cry that you look unto Jesus the son of God, for it is only him that has the antidote.
Prayer: Father thank you for removing shame and reproach from me by Christ Jesus
Bro Joel Ezeugo