Shame is a harsh slavemaster. Shame wraps itself around our minds and our hearts and convinces us that, not only are we bad people who don't deserve acceptance or who don't measure up, but also that we can't ever be set free from it. We become convinced that this feeling of self-doubt and unworthiness is just going to be part of our lives from now on. But Jesus came to set us free from the lie that says we're not worth it. He came to accept us where we are and make us into what He has in mind for us. So how do I experience that? Is there something I need to do in order to take hold of that freedom?

Shame is such a powerful emotion. It goes beyond just a sense of guilt or remorse for past mistakes. Shame leads me to believe, not just that I did something bad, but that I am a bad person. That kind of perspective can be devastating to my sense of self-worth. But Jesus came into our world to conquer the things that keep us separated from God, including our shame. So how do I recognize if shame is something that is impacting my attitude and actions? And how do I allow Jesus to defeat and remove feelings of shame from my mind and heart?

The pursuit of happiness is one of the "rights" outlined in the Declaration of Independence. It's a concept that permeates our culture even today - pursue happiness...search for and find what makes you happy. But is being happy truly the goal in life? Is that what God wants for me? To just make sure that I'm happy? Scripture seems to indicate that God calls us to choose something even greater than happiness. God calls us to choose joy. But aren't joy and happiness the same thing? If they're not, how do I know the difference? And how do I make sure that I'm moving beyond pursuing happiness to taking hold of joy?