Let’s discuss a nightly routine that every mom needs. We can carry so much guilt and shame into a new day that it feels weighty and hard the minute our feet hit the floor in the morning. I want to encourage you to try something new that will help you let go of shame and allow for joy to fill your life.

Shame burdens us, leaves no room for joy and hinders our ability to live abundantly. I believe that shame is one of the greatest weapons of the enemy to keep us in bondage. God wants to set us free. Isaiah 61:7 says that He gives us double honor instead of our shame.

The Bible also tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26). We often take that as instruction to not stay angry with another person but what about ourselves? Have you ever been angry with yourself for not meeting your own expectations? The very next verse tells us that anger that stays is a foothold to the devil. I don’t know about you but the devil tries to mess with me enough. I don’t want to give him an in to mess with me even more.

God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) but when we don’t give God our shame and forgive ourselves we deny those new mercies. He wants to give us double honor and new mercies and we reject them too often because we think we need to fix ourselves and overcome our bad habits on our own. God wants to take this feat on for you.

Do you know what else is possible in the morning? Joy. Joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Joy is possible in the morning when we leave the things in the night that are supposed to stay there. Shame and anger at ourselves belong in God’s hands where He can take it and give us back double honor and after rest…we get joy.

Tonight when you are heading to bed offer God any shame you have felt today. It may be shame you have long carried, ask God to help you identify it, or it may be shame that tugged at you when you didn’t respond the right way to a child today or didn’t get as much done as you’d like. Anything that has made you feel less than or overwhelmed, give it to God. Tell Him about it and ask Him to take your shame. You can trust your shame in God’s hands. Let go of your anger with yourself. Forgive yourself.

Keep practicing this night after night, letting go of shame, picking up honor, counting your fears to heaven and letting go of any anger. You will start to notice that you wake up with arms open wide to new mercies and morning joys. 

Be strong and courageous today Brave Moms!