Sobre a vergonha...

Estou a ler um artigo que está no blogue da Ann Voskamp sobre a vergonha e foi mesmo revelador para mim.

Veio abrir os meus olhos sobre o assunto e tenho de reflectir e orar.
Tenho de pedir perdão, porque sou MESMO orgulhosa, arrogante e com a mania que sou independente...

Este texto levou-me também a reflectir sobre aquilo que achava ser "senso comum" mas que na realidade é vergonha e arrogância muito bem mascaradas.
..
É importante ser humilde, é importante aprender e crescer...

Ficam as citações que me levaram a reflectir:

“That’s shame, son. That’s what got in you that day. It’s shame. Could it be that underneath your strong work ethic is a heart that doesn’t believe that God might want to lavish a goodness on you that goes beyond your efforts or even beyond what you think you deserve?” 

“Oh, honey. Can I just tell you? I love you so much. And that shame? It’s not from God and it’s not from us.”

We both struggled to find words.

He then asked me, “Is this what has held me back all these years? Is this why it’s difficult for me to receive out-of-the-ordinary kinds of gifts? And why I don’t ask for your help or for God’s? Because of shame?”

“I think so, honey. But imagine how delightful your relationship with God could be if you learned to approach and even pursue Him with assurance and confidence, convinced that He’s good and that He has set His affections upon you.

I’d say, right now, you’re missing the best parts of this relationship. But what joy for you to discover an unhindered, joy-filled relationship with your Father who loves you and loves to lavish His goodness upon you!

Doing so will affect every aspect of your life: your work, your play, your bike riding, and your morning coffee with your wife.”

How often does shame keep us from audaciously running into the arms of our Father not only to receive grace just after we’ve blown it, but to dare to ask for things we could never earn, deserve, or acquire on our own?

Sobre os mindsets que adquirimos e chamamos de "senso comum":

"Consider what’s true about some of the mind-sets we often embrace:

• It’s not humility that compels us to shy away from God and ask little from Him—it’s shame.
• It’s not integrity that keeps us from asking for God’s help when we need it—it’s pride, independence, and shame.
• It’s not noble to go without something that God has promised to provide—it’s an orphan-mentality rooted in shame.
• It is not justice that keeps us far from God after we’ve blown it—it’s shame.
• It’s not kindness that keeps us from ”bothering” God with our persistent requests—it’s either spiritual laziness or shame."

Artigo completo, aqui