“Instead of your shame you shall have double honor…”
Isaiah 61:7
TW!! Sexual Abuse
S.A strips its victims bare then clothes them in shame. This sort of shame is binding. It’s less like a garment and more like a full body cast, because it is disabling and impossible to remove safely without the assistance of a skilled professional.
God’s promise to me, and to you who have suffered like violence, in Isaiah 61:7 is this: He, as the great surgeon, will carefully dissect this shame that restricts and paralyzes us. In return He will clothe us in a new garment of honor that overcomes, and even recompenses, every evil thing the enemy had planned out for our lives.
Shame vs. Honor, what is it?
Shame is a public acknowledgment of somebody’s low value or importance – a type of scarlet letter. Honor is the opposite… it is a special recognition given to someone which distinguishes them and proclaims their worthiness, importance, and renown – a type of Purple Heart medal.
Satan’s goal was to leave us a broken mess and a spiritual mockery, such that all the evil powers and principalities would look upon us and scoff. But our Father in Heaven will not tolerate this sort of treatment towards his beloved children. Psalms 23 gives us a picture of this spiritual reality. Christ not only removes the shame that our demonic enemies intended for us, He also, in His immense love for us, bestows great honor and overflowing blessings while our enemies are forced to watch.
“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”
Psalms 23:5
So what does all of this mean?
Together, Isaiah 61:7 and Psalms 23:5 are promises which mean that us survivors have an even greater esteem than those who have not endured such violence – somewhat like how a martyr is esteemed by God. Christ removes the shame from us and in its place bestows upon us a spiritual medal of honor. We receive a double portion of spiritual rank and authority, with which we have power to do great damage to the kingdom of evil. In this way the Father displays His fiery love for us and openly puts our enemies to shame. By yielding to the restorative power of God, we too make the enemy ashamed and ultimately remind him of his failure and inability to overcome us. These are not empty words, nor a metaphor, but my reality in Christ and it can be yours also if you are willing to explore Him and His heart for you. Healing will take time, but it is a promise not a dream. After two years, and a rocky journey, I can now say with confidence that my heart is healed more now than ever.
Proclamations
I am a witness to the love and grace of Jesus Christ, and I assure you that it is so much weightier than the shame, guilt, and anxiety which many of us carry. The steps to recovery are simple yet not always easy, but the power of God is here to heal us. The first step is to accept the love of Christ. The second is to Trust Him. As someone who understands, I invite you to take a new step into your healing journey with Christ. If you desire to do so, you can use this prayer as an example…
“God, I want to heal and I need your help. I want to know who your son Jesus really is. Today I invite you, Christ, into my life as my Lord and Savior. I ask that you touch my heart and take away the shame. I am choosing to trust that you will show me the honor you’ve promised me.”
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I would love to interact with you.
Yours Truly,
Admin
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