If we stacked all the self-help books that have been printed over the past 20 years, would it reach the heavens? We're not sure, but most of us will agree that the self-help craze has been nothing short of staggering. While some books have undoubtedly helped some readers, there is little doubt that some of that advice has hurt people. We're not well-served by the man who gives us wrong directions on a hiking trail, even if he does have great credentials.
Merriam-Webster defines "shame" as "a painful emotion caused by the consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety." Much of the pop psychology of our day would probably accept that definition. But here is where it gets interesting! Instead of advising us to look closely at the reason for our "consciousness of guilt", they may have us go directly to treatment for the pain. We might even be advised to cover our pain with self-love. But in doing so, we never really deal with the core issue, just the symptoms. It's like someone coating his stomach to lessen his ulcer pain without treating the ulcer, dismissing the risk of organ failure. Though it might seem counter-intuitive, pain can be good because it focuses us to pay attention to a problem before it's too late.
God-Sized Hole In Our Hearts
C.S. Lewis wrote, " Pain insists on being attended to. God whispers in our pleasures, speaks in our consciouses, but shouts in our pain." Shame can be a most painful experience, sometimes haunting us for decades. It's an epiphany for some of us when we finally realize that God may be allowing us to experience pain to draw us closer to him. We sure don't find much of that in those self-help books. But God wants us to depend upon him. He wants us to love and honor him, and the more we learn of his power and glory, the more deserving we realize he is, and the more it fills that "God-sized hole" in our hearts. Nothing else will.
Hear the Testimony and Songs of Musician Zach Williams
To square things with God is first to recognize our sins and ask God for his forgiveness, for even sins against others are sins against God. Of course, following God means we will seek forgiveness from those we have sinned against, too (when possible and with discernment). It's worth watching Zach Williams's testimony and music here.
In his wisdom, God devised an outlandish salvation plan, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). That's a love that we cannot get our heads around. But once we accept it and trust and obey Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God no longer sees our sins. Psalm 103:12 reads, "...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us". God sees us as pure only because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.
As a child of God, between now and the time we die, we are promised this in Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Another anchor verse to remember is Isaiah 26:3, "...you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." This doesn't necessarily mean we will not experience pain, but we are given his supernatural power to deal with it. He gives us grace, which means favor that we don't deserve. In Christ, we become new creations.
100 Years Is Nothing When Compared with Eternity!
There is another less-obvious yet far more important reason to be "In Christ". This world is quite temporary, a hundred years is but a snap of the fingers in the context of eternity. What will our emotional state be after we die? If we are with God, we are promised that there will be no pain or tears, only joy! So while God equips us for our brief journey here, upon our deaths, he promises us new life in which there is no pain, emotional or physical, forever after. It is good news that we should be shouting from the rooftops.
It's fair to wonder if our particular guilt could exceed God's grace. Though the Bible is a big book, nowhere does it say that. In fact, it gives us plenty of examples to the contrary. Did Jesus forgive Saul for murdering Christians? Yes. Did Jesus forgive the woman at the well for her many sins? Yes. Did God forgive David for murdering a man to cover up his affair with the man's wife? Yes. In each case, the offender turned to God and was transformed. His grace is unlimited for those who trust and obey him; "My sins they are many, his mercy is more", go the lyrics. He knows everything about our darkest moments, yet he calls for us, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls". (Matthew 11:28-29).
We asked at the top if all the self-help books printed would reach the heavens and said we were unsure. One book most certainly connects us with Heaven, and here is a 5-minute video about this amazing book that is worth watching.
A Short Prayer
Lord, Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for your mercy. I am sorry for my sins. I accept you, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior. Give me that inner peace that comes from knowing and trusting you. Amen!
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