It's amazing when you see God send you exactly what you need to hear each morning. This app is excellent. This is quoted from this mornings devotional on a new reading plan I just started. THE FIRST COMPLEX EMOTION CAPTURED IN THE BIBLE "The first complex emotion captured in Scripture was the emotion of shame. Shame is an identity-crippling emotion and is very different from guilt. Guilt says, "I made a mistake," and shame says, "I AM the mistake." This is because shame is based in the idea that there is something wrong with our identity - something wrong with who we are. This produces a fear we are unlovable. Our emotions are a direct by-product of what we believe about ourselves. If we doubt our worth and fear rejection because we believe we are "bad," it will hinder our ability to process ourselves accurately. We see this in the story of Adam and Eve who used to walk and talk freely with God before the fall. However, shame entered their world immediately after eating the fruit, which changed how they heard God walking in the garden. Instead of running towards Him, they ran in the opposite direction because they feared not being accepted anymore because of shame. Note how negative, complex emotions tend to move us away from God. When a person is racked with shame-type emotions, if often causes them to run, hide, and cover up. Psychology calls this behavior a defense mechanism. Theology calls this behavior a stronghold. A stronghold is any behavior we turn to to hold safety. ....God is not afraid nor surprised by our complex emotions. His first question to us as human beings whilst wrestling with a complex emotion was, "Where are you?" Genesis 3:9. What we feel and wrestle with matters to Him. This is encouraging. Adam and Eve had made the biggest mess up of all mess-ups. What they did still impacts us today, and God loved them through it." God loves you through it all including the messy emotions. That was just what I needed to hear to bring me back to reality. The anxiety-induced shame I tend to feel is not a reflection of who I am. I am NOT a mistake nor are my shortcomings. I hope you all find some peace in this devotional. Have a beautiful day!