One of the many things I love about the Bible are the numerous stories of redemption, especially the victorious comebacks from the underdogs. Our God has certainly authored some of the greatest stories that still offer us hope today.

I have experienced pain, guilt, and shame in different seasons of my life. At times I’ve allowed my mind to believed the lie that the Lord couldn’t use me or my story to bring Him glory. Most recently, becoming a single mom due to infidelity, abandonment, and divorce was extremely heartbreaking. Shame plays horrible mind games. For a time I believed the lie that my children and I were not enough for someone.

These thoughts are not true. We serve a God who is all about redemption. When we find ourselves blindsided by circumstances we don’t see coming, we can be thankful God loves an impossible situation.

One story in particular has made an impact on my seasons of grief and healing. Naomi was no stranger to loss, death and grief. She not only became a widow, but she also lost both of her sons. Naomi certainly walked through what we call the “stages of grief.” In Ruth 1:20 she returned to her homeland in Bethlehem and said, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara.” She exchanged the name “pleasant” for “bitter.”  Since Naomi felt life had been hard and bitter on her, she chose to live with that perspective, literally.

Even when we believe lies that conflict with the Word of God, lies that do not align with who God says we are, God meets us in that place, even if that place is far away from Him. He goes the distance to remind us He still loves us.

The Lord is faithful, even when life and others aren’t.

We have a choice to either grow bitter or grow better.

Naomi chose bitterness in her suffering.

BUT GOD . . .

He redeemed the choices Naomi made and He gladly redeems the choices we make. This should give us hope that, no matter what we have done in the past, our story isn’t over. As long as we have breath in our lungs, God has a plan for our lives. God is always working and weaving a redemption story in our lives.

When we turn our loss, pain, and shame from an inward perspective–with prayers and petitions such as “why me, God?”–to an outward posture–such as,  “Turn my mess into a message, God”– that is when we can see the beautiful tapestry come together in our lives.

Wherever you are today I want to remind you that the Lord sees you. He heard what they said about you. He saw how they treated you. He knows what betrayal feels like. Your story is not over and He will not only build you back up, but you will laugh and dance again.

Week 2 Challenge:

We have all struggled with past decisions, weakness in different areas of our lives, and brokenness. This week, write out a few of the verses that spoke to you the most, either on notecards or in the notes portion of your journal. Memorize these verses and begin breaking the power of shame as you apply God’s truth to your life.

Week 2 Reading Plan:

Week 2 Memory Verse:

Have you purchased your Shame Breaker journal yet? Not only will you find all of the daily reading passages and SOAP journaling pages, but you’ll have each of the daily devotions in printed form–no need to check the app on your phone while working through your study!

Don’t forget, the Bridge Reading Plan is only available in the printed journals! The Bridge is a two-week long reading plan designed to bridge the gap between two studies. In the Shame Breaker journal you’ll find the Bridge Reading Plan along with two weeks of SOAP journaling pages and daily Scripture reading! Don’t miss this! The Bridge reading plans will walk through the entire Book of Psalms during 2021. This plan is found only in the study journals, so grab one today! You don’t want to miss out!

When you purchase a journal, you are helping us reach women around the world with the gospel. By purchasing a journal you help our incredible team of volunteer translators build up leaders around the world. Your journal purchase allows women to read God’s Word in their native language and have access to quality Bible study materials in the language they best understand. We hope you’ll join us on our mission to make God’s Word accessible to women in every nation and in every language!

Order your Shame Breaker and Shame Breaker for Kids journals here!

Kelli Trontel

Entrepreneur, photographer, writer, worship leader and single mother of two Kelli Trontel has proven that while life can bring grief upon grief, difficult days did not take her out. Her passion is to share how the Lord has been faithful even when life and others aren’t, how worship is our weapon and that the Lord truly fights our battles.