I’m glad you’re here! I’m thrilled to introduce you to a wonderful writer and gifted singer. I met Denise through the Grit ‘N Grace girls podcast. We were both interns at the same time before she started her own podcast. I love her message and how freely she shares her love.
Denise DuBois Pass of Seeing Deep Ministries
Josie: Hiding or denying shame doesn’t heal it. I love this sentiment and your direct approach to handling shame. I heard you invite people to tell you areas where they feel shame, and you offered to research those areas. Is shame unlimited in the ways it affects you?
Denise: Thank you, Josie, and thank you for having me as a guest on your blog. It is so fun to spend this time with you! Yes, shame manifests itself in so many ways in our lives, but really at its core it is the same problem. Our lack of being recognized and known by others. It might be shame over finances, our appearance or pain we have experienced, but still the common ingredient in all shame is a perceived lack of worth because of our performance or our personhood not being enough.
This being said, there are different ways to approach all the various forms of shame we encounter. The same remedy for one shame might not help us get rid of another source of shame. The solution to removing shame from our lives is always a biblical solution, and in “Shame Off You” I provide the biblical tools and framework for removing shame along with a Scripture resource guide in the back of the book that covers 40 types of shame, as well.
Josie: You mention shame is invisible to the eye but palpable to the soul in your book, Shame Off You. How do you communicate with someone wrapped in shame that doesn’t recognize shame?
Denise: We have to expose the root and route of shame. Or “root” and “route”, depending on how you want to say it – you say potato I say potato, lol.
We can see evidence of shame in people’s lives, for instance, when someone is feeling shame for their appearance, they will lack confidence and not even be aware of it. This then leads to behavioral modification. They orient their lives around that insecurity of their appearance. This is why shame has to be stopped. It robs us of the abundant life we were meant to live, free from shame.
Josie: I was reading through your Hope Reinvented Facebook page and saw you refer to a stubborn hope. I like that description. Would you tell me some of your favorite ways to cling to hope in times of distress?
Denise: Hmmm. That word hope just makes me smile and fills my soul with peace.
Such a sweet season of my life writing that book. I learned how to really hope in Christ in the hardest places of my life.
Hope Reinvented is essentially defining what it means to really hope. Hope is stubborn because it is not dependent upon anything in this life at all. The hope God intended for us to have is a hope that clings even when it seems foolish to do so. It does not need affirmation from others to keep hoping. The object of hope is solid – it is Christ alone. Not dreams. Not outcomes. Not a perfect life. Simply Christ.
As for some of my favorite ways to cling to hope in times of distress, I would say I don’t cling to hope. That is the biggest difference. I lay down my hope and pick up Christ’s. I cling to God and His promises.
Our world is upside down when we put hope in hope. God is our hope. He is what we live for.
Josie: What do you hope to accomplish and who do you hope to reach with your Black and White Podcast?
Denise: I hope to embolden Christians to not shy back from the culture wars, but to rise up and be the voice God called us to be – but with grace, humility and hope – not anger, fear or hate.
Josie: What refreshment should your readers enjoy while reading Shame Off You? Are there any liberating snacks that would keep the guilt away?
Denise: This makes me laugh. I teach the Made to Crave Bible Study and God has surely revealed some shame in my life over making poor eating choices, but He has also delivered me from that.
Thanks, Denise for sharing your mission with us. Please join one of Denise’s Facebook groups for more encouragement and to meet others in her community that are living in grace. I would love to hear your story of ridding yourself of shame. If you’d like to help share the message of shame free living, please join Denise’s book launch team.
Online Work:
blackandwhitepodcast.org/podcast
Facebook Groups
Books:
Book Launch Team:
Shame Off You – by Denise Pass. The first 200 readers receive a free ARC copy of the book.
Music Albums:
Pre-purchase Shame Off You:
https://denisepass.com/pre-buy-shame-off-you