“I spent years believing God was disappointed in me. But as I began to chew on His love, I found freedom I never thought possible.”
Shame can feel like a heavy, invisible weight—a voice that says, “You’re not enough,” or “You’ll never be clean.”
If you know that feeling, you’re not alone. Shame is powerful, but God’s love is more powerful still. He doesn’t just forgive our sins—He covers our shame, calls us His own, and gives us a new story.
How to Use This Resource
- Grab a journal.
- After each section, pause and write out your answers. Don’t rush—let yourself go deep.
- When you run out of answers, ask a new CHEW question, ask a trusted friend, or look up what wise Christians say about your question.
- At the end, you’ll find a 7-Day CHEW Challenge and ways to connect with others for support.
Step 1: Get Honest About Your Shame
- What do I feel ashamed about? (past sin, failure, abuse, rejection, weakness, not measuring up, etc.)
- When does shame hit me hardest? (after a mistake, in relationships, when I’m alone, when I remember the past)
- What do I believe about myself when I feel shame? (I’m dirty, broken, unlovable, a failure, not good enough)
Step 2: Identify the Core Need Beneath the Shame
- What am I really longing for right now? (to be accepted, forgiven, clean, valued, safe, loved)
- What lie am I tempted to believe about God or myself? (God is disappointed, I’m too far gone, I’ll never change, I’m alone in this)
Step 3: Match Your Shame to a Characteristic of God’s Love
God’s love for you is:
- Forgiving and cleansing (1 John 1:9; Isaiah 1:18)
- Unconditional and steadfast (Romans 8:38–39)
- Covering and restoring (Psalm 32:1–2; Zechariah 3:1–5)
- Affirming and adopting (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:15)
- Patient and gentle (Psalm 103:8–14)
- Redeeming and transforming (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Step 4: CHEW Questions for Shame Struggles
Write out your answers in detail—don’t stop until you can’t think of any more. When you run out, try a new question, ask a friend, or look up biblical resources. Check out an example of what this looks like here.
Forgiveness & Cleansing
- If I really believed God forgives me completely, how would that change how I see my past?
- If I really believed Jesus’ blood makes me clean, how would that change my self-worth today?
- If I really believed God remembers my sin no more, how would that change my inner dialogue?
Unconditional & Steadfast Love
- If I really believed God’s love doesn’t depend on my performance, how would that change my feelings of not being enough?
- If I really believed nothing can separate me from His love, how would that change my self-condemnation?
- If I really believed God loves me at my lowest, how would that change my willingness to come to Him?
Covering & Restoration
- If I really believed God covers my shame with His righteousness, how would that change the way I see myself?
- If I really believed God restores what’s broken, how would that change my hope for the future?
- If I really believed God clothes me in honor, how would that change my confidence in relationships?
Affirmation & Adoption
- If I really believed I am God’s beloved child, how would that change my sense of belonging?
- If I really believed God delights in me, how would that change my desire to hide?
- If I really believed God calls me His own, how would that change my identity?
Patience & Gentleness
- If I really believed God is patient with me, how would that change my frustration with slow growth?
- If I really believed God’s kindness leads me to repentance, how would that change my response to failure?
- If I really believed God’s love is gentle, how would that change the way I treat myself?
Redemption & Transformation
- If I really believed God can redeem my story, how would that change my willingness to share my journey?
- If I really believed God can use my weakness for His glory, how would that change my perspective on my past?
- If I really believed God is making me new, how would that change my hope for change?
Step 5: Meditate, Pray, and Apply
- Reflect on a key verse:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” —Romans 8:1
Pause and pray: “Father, thank You that in Christ, my shame is covered. Help me believe this is true for me, even now.” - Let God’s Word shape your thinking and heart:
- Write the verse on a card or your phone.
- Repeat it when shame creeps in.
- Ask God to help you trust His promise, not your feelings.
Step 6: 7-Day CHEW Challenge
- Pick one CHEW question each day.
- Journal your answers, going as deep as you can.
- Share one insight with a trusted friend or CHEW group.
- Pray and ask God to help you believe and live out His truth.
Transparency Note: This resource 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.
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