If there is a single factor that makes spiritual direction effective as a change agency for the soul, it is this: spiritual direction holds our shame at bay long enough for us to see ourselves as God sees us in Christ.

Gary W. Moon
About This Quote

When I first started spiritual direction, the first thing I noticed was the incredible feeling of shame that I carried. The “shame” I mean is not at all like what we might call an ordinary person’s sense of guilt or shame. It has to do with our self-image and how we think about ourselves. It is the feeling that we are fundamentally flawed and that no matter what we do, it will never be enough to make up for our sins.

It’s the kind of self-loathing that makes us want to hide ourselves away from everyone else, to hide ourselves from God as well as everyone else. When people turn to a spiritual director, they have a deep desire for help. They have a sense of being overwhelmed by their misery and they want someone to guide them through a process of self-discovery so they can learn how to live a more healthy and well-adjusted life. Over time, people come to trust their spiritual director who helps them see themselves as God sees them in Christ, the image of God in which they were created.

This leads them naturally into a kind of quiet confidence that they can take good care of themselves and that eventually leads them into the work He has for them to do in the world.

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More Quotes By Gary W. Moon
  1. If there is a single factor that makes spiritual direction effective as a change agency for the soul, it is this: spiritual direction holds our shame at bay long enough for us to see ourselves as God sees us in Christ.
  2. If you eat, breathe and grow, two things are happening–which have little to do with either air or burgers. You are receiving an education and your “spirit” is being formed. To be alive is to be formed.
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