I’ve been recovering from COVID for the past week, and the medication that was given to me has the worst—I mean WORST aftertaste. Think of metal and soap combined. HORRIBLE. No matter what I did I could not get that taste out of my mouth. I scrubbed my tongue, chewed gum, ate something, but nothing helped. It lingered and stayed while I tried to ignore it.
Then I was reminded that shame is a lot like that.
Shame and the pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect is like a bitter aftertaste. It’s there, lingering in the background. Telling us that we aren’t good enough.
We know that God forgives us of our sins, and when we ask him for forgiveness it is granted to us and the slate is wiped clean. But we so often neglect that. We tear ourselves down, make ourselves feel like we will never be forgiven… because how can God love someone who is so dirty?
God doesn’t want us to live in shame. He wants us to live in freedom.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. -Psalm 34:4-5
Whatever you are giving yourself grief for, stop letting the aftertaste rule over you. If the most perfect man to ever walk this Earth can forgive your sins, you can also forgive yourself.