How to Overcome Shame with a Powerful Declaration

“I have removed that shame and I am releasing your shine!” 
There’s a Bible verse that the Holy Spirit keeps pulling us back to. And the reason this verse is so compelling is that it speaks to our identity and destiny:

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1 NKJV)

For God created us to be radiant, to shine, and to live in His glory.
But shame, on the other hand, is a weapon that tries to quench our radiance.

• The instinct of someone who suffers from shame is to hide or withdraw, due to fear of exposure (Gen 3:10)

So, shame comes against our very identity.

Those Bowed in Shame will Rise

It’s no surprise, then, that attacks of shame are increasing.

A dictionary definition of shame is: “a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior” [1]

But the Bible gives us a powerful remedy for shame, and it’s simply to look to Jesus.
The psalmist says, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” (Psalms 34:5 , NKJV)

The word “radiant” in the original Hebrew means to shine, sparkle, beam, or burn (Strong’s H5102).

I believe the Holy Spirit is ministering to us, with this reminder:

“Those who were bowed down in shame, will rise and stand in glory.”

A Common Shame Attack

Perhaps, you can recognize this common attack of shame:

• You are going about your everyday life when suddenly, you remember something It may be a mistake, an embarrassment, a failure—or a hurt
• It is a negative memory, and it seems to come out of nowhere, like a fiery dart

That’s because it IS a fiery dart from the enemy (Eph 6:16), and he’s seeking to shame you.

God Says, “I Have Removed that Shame

It’s as though the enemy has a playlist of greatest “hits”—or strikes!
And this is a playlist of memories that are lowlights, not highlights.

Because he wants to steal our glory and authority.
And to exchange the fire of our passion, for the burn of shame.

If you can relate to this battle, I pray this word encourages you.
Hear God say, “I have removed that shame and I am releasing your shine!”

An Unexpected Remedy for Shame

This year, during our Easter period, one sentence leaped off the page of the Bible at me. It was the words of an angel, to the two Marys, who were visiting the empty tomb, where Jesus’ body once lay.

“He is not here, for He is risen, as He said.” (Matt 28:6)

Suddenly, it struck me that these words now applied to me!

Think of how this declaration could have an effect on your own life—especially, when shame tries to sneak in, attached to a memory:

• “She is not here, for she is risen, as Jesus said”
• Or, “He is not here, for he is risen, as Jesus said”

That Shame Cannot Hold You

This is one of our greatest weapons of spiritual warfare—and it’s one we don’t talk about often enough!

• Identification with the Resurrection of Christ

Paul writes to the Ephesians,
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:4-6, NKJV)

By faith, see yourself, already risen and ascended with Him.
And as you look up, see Jesus–the One who is your Deliverer.

• Suddenly, you have taken your eyes off that event that caused you shame
• You are not there—that feeling, or memory cannot hold you

And you realize, after all, it is an empty grave—a sign of redemption.

The Ultimate Sign of Freedom

The tomb where Joseph of Arimathea buried the body of Jesus, became a place of glory, surrounded by angels.
He was no longer there, for He was risen.
And like that empty tomb, in Christ, our most painful memories can become markers of grace.

Not only was the tomb empty, but the grave clothes that bound Jesus’ body were also vacated. They remained in the tomb, as evidence of the resurrection.

The shame that once bound you, cannot hold you, for you are free.

A Moment to Worship

“…the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11, NKJV)
And you are the “whoever” Paul speaks of.

When you look up and behold Jesus, you see your own story and your own state.

So, whenever those reminders of shame come unexpectedly back to mind—it is an opportunity to declare,
“I am created by God to shine and to be glorious!
I identify with the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ! And by faith in His completed work,  I declare that I’m no longer bound to the effects of that past event.
So death, sin, shame, and fear, you cannot reach or hold me. For the blood of Jesus removes sin and shame forever—so shame go, now, in Jesus’ Name!”

The Residue of Past Shame Must Go!

Luke records these words of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist:

“…the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death…”
(Luke 1:78-79a, AMP)

This is such great news–that none of us have to wait for radiance.
And we don’t need to work for it.
For Isaiah’s call to “arise and shine” is already fulfilled in Jesus, and presently fulfilled in us.

Receive the healing oil of the Holy Spirit over your heart and mind today.

• He says, “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor” (see Isaiah 61:7).

Every residue of past shame is falling away, for it is your time to rise and shine.

Notes

[1] Google / Oxford Languages definition of shame, accessed on 25th May 2023

Related posts:
8 Keys to Breaking Free from a Python Spirit

Leave a Comment
I pray this word is timely for you, as it has been for me (so life-changing!)
At the same time, I want to acknowledge that past trauma can be a complex issue. If this is a long-term struggle for you, we stand with you for your miracle.

Which part of this insight stands out to you? I’d love to hear from you, so leave a message or your prayer request in the comments box below

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© 2023 Helen Calder, Enliven Blog

Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.