“Who is narrating your life?” The Lord used this seemingly simple question to wake me up to the stronghold of shame that I have spent most of my life living under. If I answer honestly, I realize that I consistently listen to an inner-monologue critic who usually accuses me. This “voice” tells me that I’m failing, I’m not enough, I’m a hypocrite with little to offer. I’ve believed these accusations because the accuser makes some valid points; unfortunately, there is truth to what is being said.
Ironically, one of my favorite Bible verses has always been Zephaniah 3:17. I say that because it’s one of those verses that has constantly beckoned me yet perplexed me at the same time.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
This verse is so beautiful but so far from the reality I experience. I wonder if that’s been the case for you too?
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
If this verse is true for me today because of Jesus, then why is my mind constantly filled with shaming accusations? Why isn’t my mind quiet with confidence in God’s love and gladness over me? Why can’t I hear Him singing His love song of mercy and grace towards me? Is it because the critic’s voice has become so loud that it seems to drown out the beautiful song that Zephaniah promises?
As I began moving my body to God’s Word using Revelation Wellness, the Holy Spirit started renewing my mind. He began turning up the volume of His song and turning down the volume of my accuser. New brain cells were being formed with new thoughts and new power to engage with God through Scripture and the Spirit’s leading.
Instead of using exercise as an escape from the noise of inner condemnation, Jesus was inviting me to bring my shame to Him for Him to transform. I had been living so disconnected from my true self in Christ. As the Holy Spirit began making himself more real to me, He used gospel soaked “Reving the Word” workouts to renew me from the inside out. He was inviting me into deeper intimacy with Him, and I was thirsty for more.
I have unknowingly given shame, my inner critic, the devil, and other people control over my heart and mind. I have accepted what they say as truth rather than seeing these charges as half-truths and bringing them to the Lord for Him to resolve. It’s as if I’ve been on trial, sitting in the defendant’s seat, listening to the prosecutor prove his case against me. But I’m too afraid to take this indictment to the Judge because I’m certain that he’ll find me guilty. Instead, I’ve sat in the prison of that defendant’s chair, listening to these accusations on repeat.
Instead of using exercise as an escape from the noise of inner condemnation, Jesus was inviting me to bring my shame to Him for Him to transform.
In His mercy, the Lord met me in my fear. He beckoned me to bring the charges to Him. It was as if He answered me with an image in my mind. There I was, hunched over in tears, broken over the accusations that I feared were true—that I was a fraud, with wasted potential, getting it all wrong—and He cupped His hands over my ears. He silenced the accuser and quieted me with his love.
God’s word declares the verdict: Forgiven, beloved child. He says, your sins were paid for on the cross and these accusations no longer define you. They’ve lost their power. You are mine and my voice is the only one that has the authority to narrate your life. What joy! What relief!
My prayer is that we would take an honest look at our thoughts and hold them up to the light of God’s love. There, He will set us free to claim the crown as His beloved child with whom He is well pleased.
Through the ministry of Revelation Wellness, I found an invitation to use fitness as a tool to engage with my true self, with who I am in Christ, and to allow Jesus to replace all the half-truths and shame spirals with the light of the gospel.
“Wholeness is brokenness owned and thereby healed,” Brennan Manning so beautifully states. Whole living is possible for all who trust in Jesus. No more compartmentalizing. No more living in fear of condemnation. We are free to be our true selves in Christ. Jesus desires to meet us in our shame and tell us that he loves us still. He frees us so we can in turn free other shame enslaved brothers and sisters with the hope of the gospel. As we increasingly define ourselves as those radically loved by Jesus, may the Holy Spirit increasingly empower us to radically love those around us and point them to the only One who has the authority to narrate their lives.
Through the ministry of Revelation Wellness, I found an invitation to use fitness as a tool to engage with my true self, with who I am in Christ, and to allow Jesus to replace all the half-truths and shame spirals with the light of the gospel.
Lacy Stegmann is a Fitness Teacher Gospel Preacher from Platoon 25. She is a wife and mother of three in St. Louis, MO. She loves Jesus and has a heart for women’s discipleship. Her passion is for the good news of Jesus to transform every part of our lives.
RevU is back in session!
In this 6-week class, we’ll dig deep into understanding the heart matters around food and learn how to respect our bodies as a Temple of the Holy Spirit. Learn how all foods can be a part of a God-honoring diet and that with Christ we truly can have food freedom.
2 Responses
I loved doing the exercises and reading the devotionals…this is such an inspiring way to get closer to God. I feel it very relaxing and love how you incorporate scripture in with the exercising.
My girlfriend sent this to me to do it along with her and I loved every minute.
Thank you!
Anna
We’re so glad this blessed you! Check out RevWell TV for more full-length workouts! And… it’s FREE!