There are two points which I dwelt on, when I read today’s study.
The first was this statement: “There is no doubt in my(Selwyn) mind that those who struggle with deep shame do have a flawed sense of self.” Maybe this statement reflects the truth that we are all flawed in this fallen world – I think, every ‘normal’ person experiences various levels of shame throughout their lives - at those times when we have experienced a severe ‘loss of face’ – we all struggle with the sense of deep shame – just, that some are better than others, in hiding it.
Selwyn then recounts the incident when he dried up in front of an audience – and experienced an intense sense of shame. He says: “Anyone in that situation would have been embarrassed, but not everyone would have felt the degree of shame I experienced. What was my true god at that moment? Looking good. On whom was I depending? On myself and not on God. Shame, believe me, exposes the real source of our dependence; it reveals who our real god is.”
I think most people would have felt a very similar level of shame, to totally dry up in front of an audience would be devastating to most public speakers. Yet, Selwyn identifies the real issue – what is our self-worth or self-image based upon? Looking good in the public eye – or humbly serving our living God? [By the way, trying to do both, is not an option.]
The root of shame
There are two points which I dwelt on, when I read today’s study.
The first was this statement: “There is no doubt in my(Selwyn) mind that those who struggle with deep shame do have a flawed sense of self.” Maybe this statement reflects the truth that we are all flawed in this fallen world – I think, every ‘normal’ person experiences various levels of shame throughout their lives - at those times when we have experienced a severe ‘loss of face’ – we all struggle with the sense of deep shame – just, that some are better than others, in hiding it.
Selwyn then recounts the incident when he dried up in front of an audience – and experienced an intense sense of shame. He says: “Anyone in that situation would have been embarrassed, but not everyone would have felt the degree of shame I experienced. What was my true god at that moment? Looking good. On whom was I depending? On myself and not on God. Shame, believe me, exposes the real source of our dependence; it reveals who our real god is.”
I think most people would have felt a very similar level of shame, to totally dry up in front of an audience would be devastating to most public speakers. Yet, Selwyn identifies the real issue – what is our self-worth or self-image based upon? Looking good in the public eye – or humbly serving our living God? [By the way, trying to do both, is not an option.]