I did not grow up in a place where the church was very strong. Up until recently I have not felt like I've stood on very solid religious ground. I have said my share of swear words, told my share of dirty jokes, watched R rated movies, and so forth. But that does not define me. I am not my sins. As I've tried harder to increase my testimony, I've realized more and more that those thing that I've done in the past are not part of who I am. Not anymore at least. I used to identify myself as a bad person because I would do bad stuff. But I'm starting to see myself as a good person who has the potential to be better. This thought is kind of hard to express because I still haven't been able to fully identify it, but basically, I am starting to see the changes living the gosple is making in my life. I am not the same person I was even a couple months ago. I have come a long way from that point and I am glad that we as humans are so hard on ourselves so that we can keep...
I believe that shame is destructive and restricting. I have felt it bind me to sin and error and to hide myself from the everyone, including those closest to me. I believe it is the shame in my life that has stopped me from being the person I truly want to be. And I'm done living my life like that.