Shame is something we all experience, but the ways it affects us can be deeply personal. Continuing the series on how men and women experience shame in similar yet different ways, I invited four dear friends, Susan Stoops, Annette Corwin, Drea Etienne, and Phyllis Marable, to join me for an honest conversation about their stories. Each of these women has participated in my Lifted from Shame Workbook small groups, and I’m grateful for their willingness to share so vulnerably. As they open up about the ways shame has shaped their lives and the ways they have tried to hide it from others, we begin to see both the unique details of their experiences and the common struggles they share.
Beneath each story is a deep longing to be accepted, known, valued, and loved for who we truly are. Shame can convince us to hide the parts of ourselves we fear others will reject, but God continues to pursue our hearts with a love that meets us in those hidden places. Through these women’s experiences, we see how He gently brings the lies we believe into the light and invites us toward healing. My hope is that their honesty will help you recognize your own struggles with shame, feel less alone in your journey, and discover renewed hope in the truth that you are deeply known and loved by God.
To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.