Recently, I found myself in a dressing room trying on clothes. The lighting was bad, but the thoughts in my mind were much worse. Processing this whole experience uncovered a root of shame. Somewhere a lie took hold that I should look perfect and anything less would be considered failure. Unable to achieve this goal resulted in shame. I would have honestly told you this was not in my heart anymore, but clearly here we were again. I had to ask myself how much has shame stolen? The list would be long and maybe yours would be too. If this had ended with me, it might have taken longer to be set free. However, when one of my children experienced the same thing, a war on shame was declared. I will not sit by and allow our enemy to plant seeds of shame, nor will I help with my thoughts and words. We were made for freedom and not prison cells of shame. I will declare these words again and again, “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 50:7). And another good one, “…and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5). Shame takes room in our hearts that is meant to be occupied by love and we live accordingly. It is only with His power that this prisoner has been set free and on the alert for this happening again. So to the enemy I say loudly, “No more!”