We've all encountered shame and will likely encounter it again in the future. Instead of ignoring this aspect of life, it's crucial to acknowledge and normalize it. This approach enables us to manage shame constructively, foster connections with others, and emerge from challenging experiences with our self-esteem preserved. You will recall the podcast episode in which I explained that your self-worth is guaranteed and your self-esteem is your perception of your worth and that can be high or low or otherwise waiver according to the strength of your relationship with yourself. When you feel shame, for example, you feel less worthy but your actual worth has not changed. It is also important to recognise that shame often is also a master at disguising itself as other things or emotions. It can present as concern, anger, fear of what people will say, guilt, fear of disappointing God, feeling deserving of punishment from God, or defensiveness.
Ep 46. Shame: It's a Shame What it Does to You