We’ve all messed up. We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all lived through moments we’re not proud of. The problem, however, is not what we’ve done — it’s who we begin to see ourselves as because of it. Shame is a powerful tool that leads us to believe we’re worthless and finished. Every time we try to take a step forward, we’re reminded of the time we tripped. Every time we try to begin again, we’re reminded of the time we stopped. Whenever we allow those thoughts to flood our minds and stop us, we’ve chosen to listen to the wrong voice(s). God’s voice is a voice of grace, not disgrace. It’s a voice of vindication, not of shame.