The smallest of things can trip us up. Like commercials. Do you find some of them as funny and outrageous as I do? Even Christians can have a warped sense of humor, even though we like to act as though we are more refined than that.
For instance, not too long ago, there was a questionable commercial that made me laugh out loud the first time I saw it—an attractive man is cooking food when all of a sudden his shirt sizzles off. Like I said, it’s not exactly one you would expect to be described in a Christian publication. The marketers did their job well at getting the attention of women across America, for sure.
Allow me to just slip in a disclaimer here…Knowing that pornography addiction is just as real for women as it is for men, I in no way wish to make light of this demonic stronghold on women.
For me, the commercial was just funny. It was just so unexpected. So, while I was at the beauty shop, no less, I proceed to describe this commercial, certain that the girls had seen it. But they hadn’t; they did not even know what I was talking about. In order to bring them up-to-date with the latest in commercialism, I promptly whipped out my iPad and pulled it right up for them.
I went from chair to chair replaying it for them while laughing hysterically. The laughing stopped abruptly when one of my friends quipped, “Hey, why don’t you show that to the women in your Sunday School class???” While my laughing stopped, theirs did not.
I was completely embarrassed.
I came to myself.
What in the world did I think I was doing???
Something that I was classifying as harmless, is not really harmless and even more than that it would be offensive to many women in Christendom. Moreover, it was a bad witness, and they were calling me on it.
This would become just one more guilt entry to make in my emotional journal that would not let me forget this stumbling block I had laid.
Allow me to also slip in this disclosure…This happened while I was writing a book about overcoming guilt, shame and embarrassing snafus. Nothing like creating real-life content! Yet, it was my saving grace in resolving this shame and embarrassment.
The enemy was already beating me up over this with overwhelming guilt and self-defeating negative talk. Knowing that despite my faults, I am a child of the King, and I never have to feel less-than, I decided what I must do to resolve my mind’s less-than status feeling.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:26 NLT
I had a remedy for overcoming this downfall, and I was going to put it to work so that I would be set free from guilt.
During my next visit at the beauty shop, I apologized to my friends, and admitted that it was not behavior becoming of a Christian, especially one in ministry. I asked for their forgiveness and it was graciously given.
Guilt gone; problem-solved.
Instead of allowing Satan to have the upper hand, I totally neutralized His power by agreeing with God’s Word and executing it. This is wisdom, my friend!
Are you in a similar situation where you have embarrassed yourself? You can always make amends biblically. I highly recommend searching for scriptural instruction that will resolve your issue. If nothing else, it will make you feel whole because you will be confident that you have resolved the matter in a Christ-like way.
Onward!
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Award-winning author Gina Duke is a wife, mom and the Director of Women’s Ministry at her local church. With a B.S. in Organizational Leadership, she is able to bring a clear word for authentic Christian living. Through her book, “Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray” (Abingdon Press), she imparts 1 Peter 4:7 with the gift of structured prayer journaling. If you would like to schedule Gina to speak on prayer or host a prayer journaling workshop, click here for more information. You may also follow her on Twitter and Instagram @TheGinaDuke.
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Oh honey, we’ve all been there! It’s not the greatest feeling in the world, is it? I’m so very grateful (and undeserving) of my Father’s precious Grace! Thank you for your honesty! Much love and prayers! #livefreeThursday
Thanks, Crystal. Glad to know I am among friends:) Blessings, Gina
Hi Gina- It made me smile that we are neighbors at the #RaRaLinkup. Great post and important reminder to be mindful of our influence and example. Thanks for sharing this so we too can be more mindful and quickly makes things right & receive His grace.
I’m so thankful we are not a slave to guilt and shame any longer. We simply have to pray for wisdom, seek God’s word and take action to restore our actions. This guilty girl appreciates the reminder!
Thanks, Samantha! This guilty girl also needed reminding. Blessings, ~gina
We all do this in one form or another. We might show an innappropriate commercial, gossip about another, slander someone on hearsay, the list goes on and on. We will fall short. So grateful that our heavenly Father is always willing to receive us into to forgiving arms. You are human, you are brave, you are loved. Thanks for sharing.
Celi, thank you for the most encouraging comment that I may have possibly ever received. I appreciate you, girl! ~gina
So true! I just got in an argument with a friend. The second I said, “Sorry,” the weight was gone! The devil had no foothold. Great words today! Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.