Wilma Watson, the producer of this series, has been uncovering inner shame (low self-worth) and how this subtle enemy plays out in our everyday lives.

Learning about shame and its outworkings, came the hard way.

Wilma started in a rural area, one teacher a school. There were only twelve students of all ages in the class. Her teacher was a very hard man who took an instant dislike to Wilma! He insisted on calling her another name, as he said he didn’t like her name.

Because she was dyslexic, Wilma had great trouble with reading and spelling. Whenever he found a fault, he punished her. She was made to sit under his desk, and sometimes receive the cane.

This abuse left Wilma scarred! She continually from then on, struggled with low self-esteem and a fear of failure.  It was not until she understood the outworking of shame that she was able to break free.  She applied the work of the cross to release her fears gained in those early years!

Let’s look at an overview of the outworking of inner shame (low self-esteem).

  • Inner shame creates feelings of never doing well enough.
  • Low self-worth fuels our inner critic.
  • Inner shame paints a picture of yourself that is a lie.
  • A low self-worth keeps us from taking hold of God’s wonderful promises.
  • Inner shame keeps us in bondage so we cannot see our pride and self-righteousness
  • Inner shame creates a need to control ourselves and others.
  • A low self-worth creates a lifestyle of extremes – when we are up, we are driven to perform, when we are down, we feel helpless and live in defeat and depression.
  • Inner shame creates stress and anxiety as we seek to get life right.
  • Inner shame shows itself through either a desire to please or rebel.
  • A low self-worth creates the need for acceptance and love.

(Perhaps you can relate to some these points).

Further outworkings of the many faces of inner shame

  • Inner shame can lead to abuse.
  • Inner shame is the root of all addictions.
  • A low self-worth prohibits intimacy in marriage and other relationships.
  • Inner shame can show itself through all kinds of fear.
  • Inner shame creates a need within you to look to others for happiness and validation.
  • A low self-worth will affect our relationship with God.
  • Inner shame handcuffs us to our past.
  • Inner shame creates – a compulsive need to rescue.
  • Having low self-worth produces a need to perform.
  • Inner shame causes us to hide our real self.
  • Inner shame has been passed down through the generations.

Two major symptoms of inner shame

They are firstly, feeling that we are not good enough and secondly, needing to perform to cover up our real selves. Both make us feel that we are not being or doing enough, which leads to guilt and condemnation.

How can we be set free from being shame-bound?

Firstly, we need to come to the revelation that we will never be enough!

We need a Savior who is enough! His name is ‘Jesus’!  He is our good friend, liberator, deliverer, healer, provider and protector.

Secondly, we need to come to the revelation that we do not have to perform to get God’s love and acceptance.

We are accepted and made right with God because of what Jesus did for us when He died on the Cross and rose from the grave.

Performance based Christianity is when we try to please God by performing to obtain His love and acceptance.  Rather than seeking to please Him from a place of love and acceptance. It is not about our performance but Christ’s performance!

Thirdly, we need to come to the revelation that we need to action our faith by taking and receiving what Jesus has already done.

The Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:11 ESV.

Our freedom comes down to our believing! Believing in what Jesus has ALREADY done!  He has taken our cloak of shame and exchanged it for a robe of righteousness.

Because of that exchange you no longer need to feel unworthy or guilt- ridden when you approach Father God. You can pray with confidence as a son and daughter to the King of Kings, knowing that whatever you ask according to His will, He will answer you (1 John 5:14).

When you agree with what Jesus has already done, and declare it, you know you are praying according to the will of God. Thank you, Jesus, I declare today that I am free from the cloak of shame. You exchanged it, when You died on the Cross, for a robe of righteousness!

The following video called, ‘Embracing God’s Grace’, will demonstrate how much Jesus loves you and what He has done for you to set you free from inner shame.