Rise from the Bed of Shame

Devotional Thoughts

There are moments in life when shame feels like a bed we cannot leave. We lie in it, covered in regret, weighed down by past mistakes, and convinced that we are unworthy of a new beginning. But Jesus has not called us to stay in the place of shame—He has called us to rise.

In John 5, we meet a man who had been lying by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years. He was paralyzed—not only physically but also mentally and emotionally, trapped in a state of helplessness. When Jesus saw him, He didn’t dwell on the man’s past or his excuses. Instead, Jesus asked, “Do you want to get well?” and then commanded him to “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

The man had a choice: he could stay in the bed of his past, or he could trust Jesus and step into healing. The same choice is before us today.

Practical Reflection

• Have you been stuck in shame, replaying the failures of yesterday? Maybe it was a broken relationship, a bad decision, or a sin you can’t seem to forget. The enemy wants you to believe that your past defines you, but Jesus declares that His grace is greater than your mistakes.

• Are you still lying in the bed of shame, or are you ready to stand in Christ’s redemption?

• What past mistakes are you holding onto that Jesus has already forgiven?

• How can you take steps today to walk in the freedom Christ has given you?

Closing Thoughts

Shame is a heavy burden, but Jesus has come to lift it. Just as He told the man at Bethesda to rise, He is telling you today: "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." Your past does not define you—His grace does. Walk in the newness He has given you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I have spent too long lying in shame, dwelling on past mistakes. But today, I choose to rise. I receive Your forgiveness, Your healing, and Your new beginning. Help me to walk in the freedom and grace You have given me. I trust You, and I surrender my past into Your hands. In Jesus' name, Amen.