Simple Thoughts...

This may seem like a weird post but I sort of feel divinely inspired to write these words so here goes. 
.
Until just recently, I never took much time to think about the powerful emotion of shame. Most probably think of shame as a very painful emotion, and if used as a cruelly by someone in order to hurt us shame is very painful. But when shame is experienced in the natural course of events either through our own conscience or due to instructive words from someone who genuinely cares for us or due to just ordinary conversation, it is a very constructive emotion if we allow ourselves to experience it, to learn and to grow because of it. 
.
Shame helps us to understand when we have done something wrong or to realize that we want to improve ourselves. It helps us to correct our own behavior and actions, to strive harder, and to seek beneficial changes. 
.
As Christians, shame should lead us to pray to our heavenly Father for forgiveness, to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and to show us how to make changes in ourselves so that we can function better in our lives and relationships. 
.
Some people are very shame-adverse. Unfortunately, being shame-adverse keeps children and adults from growing and from maturing to healthy relationships. 
.
Psychologists say that people who have an aversion to feeling shame will do several frustrating things to avoid the pain of ever feeling this emotion. They can become very easily offended by what we consider to be normal conversation. They will blame-shift – that is they will immediately point out something we do wrong as if this makes any difference to the subject at hand. They will fog – which is to claim that they don’t remember the event or claim that it didn’t happen as we know it did. They will also keep mental lists which they quickly pull out in order to attempt to hurt us back by reciting our warts and faults which can be confusing, hurtful or irritating because all along we didn't realize the conversation caused them to feel shame and thus was painful to them. 
.
The problem is, young or old, we all need to feel shame from time to time and to examine it. It is a tool to help us seek ways to make constructive changes in ourselves in order to achieve personal growth, and to develop integrity, healthy relationships and a clear conscience. Shame, when not used as a cruelty, is a very constructive emotion which helps us grow and mature. By diving in and fully allowing ourselves to feel shame we can know to pray and seek guidance. 
.
I know that this is sort of weird post but due to some of my reading lately I felt strangely moved to write about this emotion – maybe I was divinely inspired to write these words for someone and they will help them and I will never know…I hope so. Or maybe I need to do some praying for me :-)