Devotional from Pastor Tim Chalas

Shame is a liar. It says, “There’s something irreparably wrong with you.”  It keeps you hiding behind masks and striving for worth. But the gospel says, “You’ve been made new.” The old is gone and the new has come. Jesus didn’t just forgive what you’ve done; He transformed who you are. You’re not damaged goods. You’re not fundamentally flawed. You’re not barely acceptable. You are holy, righteous, and fully loved and accepted because of the finished work of Jesus. When you believe that, shame starts to lose its grip. Knowing God accepts you opens the door to accepting yourself and trusting that He alone has the right to name you and define you. You are not defined by what you've done. You are defined by what Christ has done, and He did enough.

The cross not only dealt with your sin; it dealt with your shame. Jesus bore your guilt so you don’t have to. Now you can walk in freedom, not fear. Vulnerability becomes safe because your identity is secure.

The truth is, God isn’t disappointed in you; He delights in you. You are His child, not His project. You are His joy, not His burden. That’s the power of grace—it doesn't just cover you, it changes you.

Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion.—Isaiah 61:7 

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