Shame can completely transform our way of thinking. As we contemplate past mistakes, it fills our minds with lies: I don’t know if I’ll ever outlive that mistake. I’m underserving of forgiveness. My life will never be the same as it was before I made that decision.

Have you ever felt trapped by these thoughts? You may have tried to suppress them, but they kept popping back up. And they kept whispering in your ear. Over time, you may have even felt an urge to believe them: I am inadequate. I am a failure.

In these moments, the power of shame can feel all-consuming, as if there’s no escape from the fear and anxiety that arises. If I just had a second chance, I would do things differently. And then I wouldn’t have to deal with these lingering thoughts.

When you feel weighed down by feelings of shame, you can turn to God’s Word for it’s message of freedom and assurance. In Hebrews 4:16, Paul urges believers to confidently confide in God’s grace: “ Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it” (GNTD).

You can continue to meditate on the Bible’s message of grace with these four Bible verses:

1. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (GNTD)
   But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.
2. 2 Timothy 1:9-10a (GNTD)
   He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. He gave us this grace by means of Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but now it has been revealed to us through the coming of our Savior, Christ Jesus.
3. Psalm 103:11-12 (GNTD)
   As high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who honor him. As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us.
4. Isaiah 1:18b (GNTD)
   You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.