“For years, I believed I was never enough. But as I started chewing on God’s love and affirmation, the shame began to lose its grip—and I started to see myself the way He does.”
Why Shame Lingers (and How God’s Love Breaks Its Power)
Shame is that heavy voice that whispers, “You’re not good enough. You’ll never change. If people really knew you, they’d walk away.” It keeps us hiding, striving, and doubting God’s love. But God’s affirmation is louder and truer than any voice of shame. He calls you beloved, chosen, forgiven, and delighted in—not because of what you do, but because of who He is.
The CHEW on This™ framework is a powerful way to let God’s truth replace the old scripts of shame, one moment at a time.
How to CHEW for Freedom from Shame
1. Confess—Name the Shame
- “God, I feel unworthy, embarrassed, or like I’ll never measure up.”
- “I’m weighed down by past mistakes or regrets.”
- Brief Prayer: “Lord, I bring You my shame. Meet me with Your love and truth.”
2. Hear—Let God’s Word Affirm Your True Identity
- “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
- “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
- “You are my beloved child; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)
- Brief Prayer: “Holy Spirit, help me hear Your voice above the voice of shame.”
3. Exchange—Chew on an Affirming Question
- “If I really believed God calls me beloved and forgiven, how would that change the way I see myself today?”
- “If I really believed there is no condemnation in Christ, how would that change my response to failure?”
- “If I really believed God delights in me, how would that change the way I approach this day?”
- Brief Prayer: “Jesus, help me trade shame for Your affirmation and live in the freedom of Your love.”
4. Walk—Live Out God’s Affirmation
- Pause when shame creeps in and repeat your chew question.
- Write down one truth about your identity and keep it where you’ll see it.
- Share your struggle with a trusted friend and ask them to remind you of God’s affirmation.
- Thank God for one way you experienced His love today, even if it’s small.
- Brief Prayer: “Father, help me walk in the truth of who You say I am.”
Mini Story
“There was a season when I couldn’t look in the mirror without hearing the old lies: ‘You’re a failure. You’ll never be enough.’ One day, I started chewing on the truth that God calls me His beloved child. I wrote it on a sticky note and put it on my mirror. Every time shame tried to speak, I whispered, ‘If I really believed I’m God’s beloved, how would that change this moment?’ Over time, the shame got quieter, and God’s affirmation grew louder.”
One-Day Focus: Freedom from Shame (Day 5 of the 7-Day CHEW Challenge)
Today, let your CHEW practice center on God’s affirmation and freedom from shame.
Pause at least three times—when you notice self-criticism, after a mistake, or when you’re tempted to hide.
Write down or share one way God’s love spoke louder than shame today.
Invite a friend or family member to join you, and encourage each other to chew on God’s affirmation throughout the day.
Ready for more?
Continue your CHEW journey with the next blog in the series: “Parenting and Loving Well When You Feel Overwhelmed.”
Learn how God’s love can equip you to love others, even when you feel stretched thin.
You can visit our previous post in the series here.
Transparency Note: This series is crafted in collaboration with advanced AI tools and thoughtfully finalized by the 1st Principle Group staff to ensure biblical faithfulness and practical relevance for our readers.
