Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8
This week we have focused on the emotion of shame. We discovered that shame is one of the most destructive emotions. It’s not as simple as guilt because it has to do with our identity as persons. So the question is, what do we do with the shame we feel? The answer is simple and complicated at the same time. We must find a way to be in the presence of love. Love is the antidote to shame.
Why is that so difficult? There is a prerequisite to being truly loved, and it requires a bravery that many people never discover. That prerequisite is vulnerability. You cannot be loved with a healing kind of love if you have not first been vulnerable. If you are not vulnerable, you will never know if the other person loves you for who you indeed are. Do they love you, or do they love the masks you wear? The only way to know is to take off the mask. That, too, is difficult because it requires enough self-awareness to realize you are in hiding. Vulnerability is a prerequisite to being loved with a healing kind of love.
Today, set aside a few minutes to watch this helpful Ted Talk about vulnerability. Ask yourself, am I allowing others to love me for who I am? Finally, remember that once you are embraced with true love, you can begin to heal your shame.
Wow! Powerful! I sent this link to a young man struggling with feelings of unworthiness. He’s not a believer, so hearing this from. ‘Scientist’ might help him.
I’m so glad it might help someone. It’s really cool how the scriptures are confirmed by the science. Thanks for the comment.