By Dr. Floyd Godfrey
Many Christians sit in church each week hearing powerful sermons about God’s love, grace, and the importance of cultivating a close relationship with Jesus Christ. Yet, some still feel distant from God—not because of a lack of belief, but because of a deep-rooted sense of shame. For those carrying this emotional burden, shame becomes more than a feeling; it becomes an identity label that blocks them from truly receiving the love and connection they long for.
Capparucci (2021) addresses this experience by noting, “Many pastors focus on delivering a consistent message to their flock that growing in relationship with Jesus Christ is vital to their Christian walk. And they are correct. However, Christians who bear the shame label due to continual sin have difficulty digesting that information” (p. 11). In other words, when a person feels ashamed of their past or present struggles, even the truth of the gospel can feel unreachable. Rather than drawing near to Christ, they may hide in fear, convinced they are unworthy of His love.
This pattern is not uncommon among believers. Over the years, in my work across a variety of church denominations, I have met countless Christians who struggle with shame tied to their failures, addictions, or moral mistakes. These individuals often say things like, “I know God forgives, but I can’t forgive myself,” or “I feel like I don’t belong in church.” Their hearts desire God, but shame whispers that they are too broken to be loved.
Capparucci (2021) highlights the emotional and spiritual consequences of shame: “Their shame prohibits them from surrendering themselves to Christ with their struggles and cultivating a relationship with Him out of fear of condemnation and rejection” (p. 11). This is one of the greatest deceptions of the enemy: to convince someone that God's grace has limits. When people believe that lie, they stop bringing their full selves to God. Instead of surrendering, they isolate. Instead of confessing, they conceal.
Yet Scripture tells us something radically different. Romans 8:1 assures us that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” That verse is not conditional and it does not say "unless you’ve sinned too much." It is an open invitation to remove the shame label and put on the identity of someone fully loved and accepted by God.
To break free from shame, Christians must be reminded not just of God's commands, but of His compassion. Pastors and Christian leaders play a key role in this healing process. When leaders create an environment of grace and authenticity, where confession is safe and restoration is emphasized, believers are more likely to step out of hiding and into healing.
Healing shame also involves intentional work: identifying false beliefs, accepting God’s forgiveness at a heart level, and sometimes seeking help from counselors or support groups. When believers take these steps, they begin to experience God's love not just as a concept, but as a personal and transformative reality.
Removing your shame label does not mean forgetting your past. It means refusing to let your past define your relationship with God. Jesus did not come to save the perfect; He came to redeem the broken. When shame is removed, space is made for intimacy with God, deeper discipleship, and genuine spiritual growth.
Floyd Godfrey PhD is a Board Certified Christian Counselor and has facilitated groups within different churches and denominations over the past 30 years. He worked as a licensed clinician for 23 years and provided supervision and training for other counselors as they worked toward independent licensure. You can read more about Floyd Godfrey PhD at www.FloydGodfrey.com.
References
Capparucci, E. (2021). Removing your shame label.
