Most people us would agree that they have things about themselves they wish could be undone. The tricky part is that we can’t change anything that happened in our past. The best we can do is accept that it happened, receive our healing, forgive ourselves and let go of our past. Paul said it well , ” 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, Philippians 3:13-14.” One of our greatest enemies in life is shame. It keeps countless people from reaching their destiny here on earth. We can’t walk forward looking backwards. Shame makes people feel unworthy, unwanted, judged etc which makes many want to stay in the shadows of life instead of living life to fullness. We forget that none of us is able to please God on our own. God promises us that he forgives all our sins and iniquities. He says in psalm 103 that He remembers our sin no more. Why then do we let shame steal from us? I believe it is one of the reasons we are called to be like little children. Children don’t carry around shame and guilt. When you tell a child you have forgiven them, they go to play and don’t remember any more what they did. God’s will for all of us is that we live in fullness, which we can’t do unless we let go of our shameful past and look forward toward our call. Our circumstances do not control our success or failure as much as our internal judgment of ourselves. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Ann Makena is a wife and a mother. She is a Clinical/Hospice chaplain with more than ten years experience. She is an independent instructor through community education and mainly instructs on intercultural communications and relations, parenting and Swahili, among other adult personal growth subjects. She co-hosts a local TV show within twin cities metro area. Ann is an ordained pastor and active in her church. She is an inspirational speaker. She is the founder of City's Heart Cry Ministries (501(c)3) in USA and Heart Cry organization NGO in Kenya, providing home, health and education for orphaned and abandoned children. She is the author of “Become Whole, Unbreakable and Unstoppable” and “Knowing and Yielding to The Voice That Counts” She is a co-author of “Miracles Still Happen, IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE-EXPLAIN ME” with her son Nate Munene (who was not expected to survive at birth has endured major medical complications and is thriving). Ann has found success in parenting in spite of dealing with severe medical conditions and believes trusting God and being intentional brings about success. Ann has M.A in Ministry leadership, M.A in Theological studies, B.A in Psychology-Counseling and B.A. in Divinity. She has C.P.E. (Clinical Pastoral Education). . "I have a heart for oppressed women and single mothers of the world. I enjoying spending time with family, reading, writing, quiet time, and gospel/inspirational music among other interests. I stand on, Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths,” NKJV."