Naked or Covered in Lies?
Yesterday, I spoke with two radically different groups of women.
In both groups, the topics of “guilt” and “shame” arose.
Genesis 3:6-7 states this:
7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
We are not alone in our struggle. And it’s been with us since the beginning.
It’s obvious that the sin awareness came with the sin – and that it deeply impacted Adam and Eve individually and collectively.
It occurred to me that I’m constantly at war with my pride, my protection of self. I repeatedly feel “less than” or “worthless” because I buy the lies of the culture, even though I do a pretty good job of keeping away from influences. I can’t undo the programming of my youth, before I knew Him, and He’s transforming me cell by cell…which takes forever, it seems. And my fig leaves? I sew together anger over my hurt.
But He is good, all the time. And His Word breathes life into this deceived heart of mine – and I remember. And so I confess to those I’ve hurt and to Him, and in doing the thing that the world would have me believe would REALLY make me “worthless” or “less than” – apologizing – in doing that, I find the freedom I seek. And then I get to toss the fig leaves and run around naked.
Figuratively speaking, of course.
🙂
(OH! Was I just punny?!?)
Sorry…
🙂
Today, I’m opening things up to you…
What “shame” or “guilt” are you dealing with in your life? What “fig leaves” do you sew?
Dare you to cast off fear with me right now and be a Titus girl.
Love to you,
I’m often looking for affirmation. When I can have important intimate conversations with people that could be meaningful I have found myself, “hoping so & so can hear what a good job I’m doing being sympathetic over here.” It wreck’s me, it wreck’s everything. I pray afterwards that the person I was talking or listening too, that God will have protected them from my sin & given them His ear & heart. Why do so many of us perform for more than just God? Where did that crazy need in me come from? I’m grateful God has made me aware & it’s our work in progress.
Wow. The feelings I have just thimking about it. Can you say “avoidance?!” My guilt/shame is caused by my adhd & my struggles with giving my husband the attention he deserves & being able to focus on him (& my daughter) when I’m having a bad adhd moment.
Moj8668,
Honey, stop thinking about what your hubby might or might not think. Your body is the only naked female body that he can look at and admire without sinning. Should he have nothing because what you have to offer isn’t perfect? We all have limitations. If your husband isn’t telling you he doesn’t want to see you, then let him see. You will need to be vulnerable with him to do it. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable is how we build intimacy. Trust your husband when he says he likes something about your body. Otherwise you’re basically telling him he’s a liar. We wouldn’t want to say that, right?
Okay here goes – my weight! I have just recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism which we will be taking steps to deal with. Partially because of this, it is nearly impossible to lose weight no matter what I do so I get discouraged and give up. Time to try again I guess!
But this battle makes it hard for me to believe that hubby find me appealing, attractive or desirable. Can you guess how this impacts our relationship?
My mother was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 25 years ago and her medication is at the correct dosage. She lost weight. It is hereditary, so I have mine tested regularly. Don’t give up, praying for God to give you strength.