Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. The shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood will be remembered no more…
Isaiah 54:4 Living Bible (TLB)
As a child growing up, well let’s say the tween to teenager stage I suddenly became self-conscious. I no longer believed in myself, I became extremely shy. I would often think “I am so worse off than my friends” without even knowing if this was the truth.
And then the teasing started…
I was bullied (horrible name calling) even though I was a part of a popular clique. I don’t think they (my clique) were aware as I became good at hiding my feelings and suffering in silence. As I think about it; I now understand that the root of my insecurities was as a result of the name calling that made me feel incompetent, unworthy.
I know a lot about feeling “unworthy”. It is one of the cruelest lies that could ever be embedded in a human being’s psyche. Today despite my accomplishments it is still a challenge for me. If only kids knew the lifelong damage that can result from name calling and bullying they may think twice and instead just be loving to each other.
As I meditate on the above scripture it calls to mind a lot of instances (shame, ridicule etc.) that we face as adults and as God’s people; we who have accepted Him that is.
There are 2 passages of scripture that I would love to use as reference for what I am writing about today.
1 Psalm 37:7 (TLB) Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for him to act. Don’t be envious of evil men who prosper.
Looking back on my life, there were many instances where I would think that I was not doing as well as I should. Or, it was usually thoughts such as – how is that person fairing so much better than I am or something along the line of “they are better than I am” or it’s because “she’s prettier than I am.
As I matured I realized that most of what we deal with in life has to do with perception. We live in a world where people will always put the best forward first, heck… I do it. And so it is important that we do not get caught up in a false reality. At the end of the day it is how we market or brand ourselves.
Understand that only you (the individual) and your father know the truth about any situation. And so we must never assume that everyone who is doing well is acting above board. What we must understand however is that God has complete control. I look back at my bullies and all I can say is no one is better than the other. At some point I have outdone many of them; not in a gloating way but in a way that tells us to put everything in God’s hand. He will ultimately correct all situations. We must also pray to move beyond and rise above the limiting beliefs that have been embedded in us; as a result of individual’s hurtfulness towards us.
2 Ephesians 6:12 (TLB) For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.
Today I recognize that when one has a significant calling on their life… it is a threat. Knowing this, the enemy will send all manner of obstacles and roadblocks our way. He uses our weaknesses against us (inferior thoughts about ourselves). It is important that we think the best of ourselves because we are made in our Father’s Image. That is a big truth that we learn as we accept Jesus into our life. And a truth we must not forget. A truth that will allow us to rise above everything or person or situation that we feel has wronged us. In doing this we remain above reproach.
And so how does all this fit into Isaiah 54:4 Living Bible (TLB)
Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. The shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood will be remembered no more…
This was a time when God’s people were separated from Him, exiled so to speak. Usually an exiled person feels out of place, abandoned, it feels like everything is going against you. You are faced with all sorts of attack, perhaps to your reputation It may be a time when there is no direction in your life so it feels like others are prospering while your life is at a standstill… can you somewhat visualize the parallel?
God’s people we can be assured that His promises are their shield. It is here that He promises His people (Jerusalem) that His love will return to them. When we have the love of God in our hearts and in our lives; we can look forward to restoration to His presence when we cry out to Him. Guaranteed restoration from the shame we have suffered, and the fact that we may not have achieved all that we desired.
We may have been separated from God and suffered for a while; but know that He says in verse 7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you. But with great compassion I will take you back.”
Read Isaiah 54 here and get your encouragement.
Christians face many difficult challenges; the walk of a christian is not one that is all easy and fun-filled. Passages of scripture such as Isaiah 54 gives us the assurance that no matter how far we have wandered; if we have committed a grave sin, if we feel rejected, misused and abused. Our Father will restore us to Him when we seek His face, and when we cry out to Him.
Whatever you face today know that God’s love covers all things.
Psalm 100:5 (NKJV)  For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
