One of the devil’s favorite tactics is to root a deep sense of shame in people that keeps them from love. I’ve experienced it. People I love have experienced it. Feeling unworthy makes it really hard not to resist  the love you are shown. And when shame comes in, we can become self-destructive, trying to subtly prove to others that they are wasting their time loving us. So many of us deeply believe that we are not “good enough” to be loved.

But God has told us that we are enough because we are made in his image and redeemed by the sacrifice of his son. 1 John 4:9-12, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

We love others and let them love us, not because of our own worthiness, or theirs, but because of the worthiness of our Creator. He made all men and women and has shown through his own actions that we are worthy of love. We are designed for love, and we hurt others and ourselves when we hide from love out of fear.

The best practical thing I can encourage you to do is share your shame with the people you love. Let them understand your fears and give them the opportunity to quell them.

Believe that you are worth loving today and live like it. The God of the universe cherishes you.