Ashamed
"…I can approach the Lord, and He will enlighten me, rather than make me “ashamed.” Does this really need to be said? Well, yes. I think that at times I tend to avoid approaching Him, for fear He will somehow give me this big “thumbs down” or bite my head off. This is not a grace-filled “fear of God,” but a delusional self-loathing projected onto God. He doesn’t seek to shame me. Nor is He “disappointed,” like a self-seeking parent. God seeks to share Himself with me, to share His light, and always has it on offer, wherever or however I am –and that last part is not “news” to Him." (Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin)
“There is no mention in Scripture of the word "guilt" (ἐνοχή), although there is the adjective "guilty" (ἔνοχος). Instead of "guilt" there is "sin" (ἁμαρτία) - failure, loss, a break-up in relations, resulting in a kind of false consciousness. Even "ἐνέχομαι" implies keeping fast within, cherishing, sharing, as distinct from being ashamed in the face of God who inflicts retributive punishment.” (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese)
“Being aware of our sinfulness is important, and of itself has great power. Because of this blessed awareness, one feels ashamed, becomes humble, attributes all good things to the kindness and benevolence of God, and feels a great sense of gratitude. This is why God shows greater love to sinners who acknowledge their sinfulness, repent and live in humility, than to those who struggle much and have achieved much, but do not acknowledge their sinfulness and are not repentant." (St. Paisios the New of Mount Athos)
“God is very full of compassion, long-suffering, and patient as He waits for our conversion, and when we do sin He is ready to lift us up, for He desires our repentance. And when we fall, He is not ashamed to take us back…He Himself is most ready to save us.” (Pseudi-Macarius)
“We have all done things for which we are ashamed and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be….Don’t dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now.” (Life Application Study Philippians 3:13, 14)