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Shame: Being Known and Loved
Many of us experience shame on a regular basis. We compare ourselves to others and feel deficient. We look at our pasts and hope no one will find out what we’ve done―or what was done to us. We doubt and isolate ourselves in light of previous rejection or failure. Our shame is unpleasant, even paralyzing. But there is hope for shame-filled souls! Our Savior willingly sacrificed everything―even died―so that shame would not have the final say in your life. Now he empowers you to change. Writing both as a biblical counselor and fellow struggler, Esther Liu takes us on a thirty-one day journey to discover lasting comfort. Explore the depths of God’s grace for you; respond to Christ’s invitation to rest; and use practical action points, reflection questions, and devotional insights to reshape your instinctive responses to God, others, and yourself.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2022
69 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 24, 2022
What can I say about this book? People come on here to see reviews for a good read. This is a book you need to make a choice to participate in. Two pages a day, but make them count. The book doesn't promise salvation from shame, but points to the Lord who does. Every chapter is characterized with the truth of scripture and you get a sense for a gentle invitation that God is calling you towards.
I urge you to take your time with this book and really process it. Pray through it with your struggles. Knowing the author, the hallmark of God's work in her life shines here in her personable words. I never knew she struggled with these things in the years I walked alongside her. But that's exactly how shame operates; no surprise there I can see now.
I pray that this book can aid others in freedom in Christ. Many cultures are shame-oriented, some western ones are more about guilt. But the same Jesus triumphs.
I urge you to take your time with this book and really process it. Pray through it with your struggles. Knowing the author, the hallmark of God's work in her life shines here in her personable words. I never knew she struggled with these things in the years I walked alongside her. But that's exactly how shame operates; no surprise there I can see now.
I pray that this book can aid others in freedom in Christ. Many cultures are shame-oriented, some western ones are more about guilt. But the same Jesus triumphs.
February 28, 2023
I’m not usually one for daily devotional books. But you can throw away most of the others and just keep this. It’s so good.
It’s also a lot for every day. You can go slow and process like I did.
It’s also a lot for every day. You can go slow and process like I did.
November 2, 2023
I used this as a devotional across October, seeing it on a friend’s feed. It did not always hit the mark but it was useful, beneficial. Every person has their own level of complexity - arrogance vs anxiety, and varying needs for love. The book was helpful in catering, best it could, to as many as possible. It was scripturally based. And nearer the end it turned, sensibly, to focus on how the reader could serve God and help others.
September 23, 2023
Tenderly written and encouraging - a great place to start.
July 13, 2024
Excellent!
Started 10/12/2022 and did not finish, then started again in June 2024 - 7/1/2024
Started 10/12/2022 and did not finish, then started again in June 2024 - 7/1/2024
June 22, 2024
Overall, a helpful tool in leading me to engage with my inner-monologue more carefully, take thoughts captive, and ultimately, turn to God in the midst of this processing. Really solid reminders of who God says that I am as His child, and many more Truths from Scripture to remind myself of daily.
December 24, 2023
This book came at the right time and the topic shame: being known and loved was tailor made for my weary soul.
October 2, 2024
This is the first book I have read out of the "31 Day Devotional Series". I found this book really helpful as I was working on a sermon related to the topic of Shame. Liu's daily devotionals were easy to read and relate to. Every day started with a passage and then ended with a question and a way to respond. I will definitely be picking up more books out of this series in the future!
October 21, 2025
This book is an excellent resource for anyone that is struggling with shame. Esther Liu beautifully directs the reader's gaze to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and presses into the reality that Christ will never leave or forsake us, especially as we face the most shameful moments of our lives:
"Jesus rescued us so that shame would not have the final word in our lives. A vital part of that rescue was his willingness to endure his own shame. Shame, suffering, and divine favor all coexisted in the life of Jesus. Perhaps they can coexist in ours too. And if and when they do, Jesus assures us we are not alone. He has gone before us. He goes with us" (p. 46).
"Jesus rescued us so that shame would not have the final word in our lives. A vital part of that rescue was his willingness to endure his own shame. Shame, suffering, and divine favor all coexisted in the life of Jesus. Perhaps they can coexist in ours too. And if and when they do, Jesus assures us we are not alone. He has gone before us. He goes with us" (p. 46).
January 19, 2023
This devotional was so encouraging and so helpful in wrestling with insecurity, brokenness, unworthiness, rejection, loneliness, all of which leads to shame. I love how much it points to the hope we have in Christ, the love He has for us, and the work He is doing in our lives as we fix our eyes on Him, not on ourselves. This is not a “self-help” approach, which so much of current culture embraces, but when we are in a pit, we can’t help ourselves out, we need someone from the outside, and that someone is Jesus.
December 21, 2024
This really was so good. I feel like shame is not talked about often enough. It often goes on in our lives unnoticed, yet it deeply affects us and we need to think more about it. Esther is a beautiful writer and there are so many precious gospel truths and hope for people who experience shame. I think we all do in some shape or form. So good and I hope to read it again!
December 27, 2022
One of the better 31-Day devotionals. Highly recommend.
January 17, 2023
Really good, really helpful and encouraging. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't feel good enough.
May 3, 2024
A beautiful devotion that speaks to shame and how to start the long term process of healing. Grateful for Esther’s encouragement and care displayed in this devotion.
September 24, 2025
I genuinely loved this devo SO much and kept recommending it to everyone in my life! Really beautiful truths in it!
September 12, 2025
What a great devotional! Very convicting and Scriptural. Esther Liu did a great job at presenting what Scripture says about shame, being known and loved and what that means practically in our lives.
November 15, 2022
Does shame cast a dark shadow over your life? In Shame, Esther Liu explains what it means to be truly known and loved. In less than 100 pages, this 31-day devotional renews your mind and reshapes your heart in regards to countering shame.
God Sees, You Matter
What I most appreciated was how this book spans the entire biblical story. I saw the story of shame from the beginning pages of Adam and Eve disobeying God, all the way through the hope of a new creation in Revelation. I was most surprised to see shame appear in the story of Leah and Rachel. Leah was said to have “weak eyes.” She didn’t do anything wrong, yet something was still wrong with her. Liu says that we can often feel “there’s something wrong with me” even when we’re not quite sure what that is. Liu reminds us that we can run to God with our insecurities.
Asian Americans will find much to relate to in this book. From feeling like we need to climb ladders of success to feeling invisible. In regards to being unseen, Liu takes us to the story of Abraham, and how God sees his servant Hagar. When we feel small, insignificant, and unnoticed, we can remember that God sees us and we matter.
Shame and Sorrow
I was most interested to see the connection between shame and anxiety. If you believe you are not good enough, you will see the world as a threatening place. In stressful situations, my mind often wanders to the worst-case scenario. Liu helped me realize that I’ve forgotten about God. But when life feels insecure, and when life really does fall apart, I need to remember that God does not forsake us. He is with us wherever we go and whatever happens (Psalm 139:7-10).
The middle of the book marks a turning point. Liu turns our eyes towards Jesus, and we see that even our savior experienced shame. Throughout his life and especially on the cross, his was marked by shame and sorrow. But what matters most is that he experienced it for us. Christians are now empowered to rest and build our house upon the Rock. This book is literally Gospel-centered, full of worship and gratitude for our savior.
A Message of Hope
In many ways, this book is a challenge to live a life of faith. Liu acknowledges that the Christian life is not a walk in the park. We will still be found unpopular and even hated by the world. But what matters most is knowing we are known and loved by God. With this in mind, we can admit our brokenness in our bodies and look for grace amidst thorns of shame that remain. Liu is an amazing guide, skilled in sharing scripture and writing with warmth and wisdom.
The book ends with a message of hope. While the help of the Holy Spirit and depending on others in the church to carry us, we can place our full hope and trust in Jesus. And hope does not put us to shame.
I received a media copy of Shame and this is my honest review.
God Sees, You Matter
What I most appreciated was how this book spans the entire biblical story. I saw the story of shame from the beginning pages of Adam and Eve disobeying God, all the way through the hope of a new creation in Revelation. I was most surprised to see shame appear in the story of Leah and Rachel. Leah was said to have “weak eyes.” She didn’t do anything wrong, yet something was still wrong with her. Liu says that we can often feel “there’s something wrong with me” even when we’re not quite sure what that is. Liu reminds us that we can run to God with our insecurities.
Asian Americans will find much to relate to in this book. From feeling like we need to climb ladders of success to feeling invisible. In regards to being unseen, Liu takes us to the story of Abraham, and how God sees his servant Hagar. When we feel small, insignificant, and unnoticed, we can remember that God sees us and we matter.
Shame and Sorrow
I was most interested to see the connection between shame and anxiety. If you believe you are not good enough, you will see the world as a threatening place. In stressful situations, my mind often wanders to the worst-case scenario. Liu helped me realize that I’ve forgotten about God. But when life feels insecure, and when life really does fall apart, I need to remember that God does not forsake us. He is with us wherever we go and whatever happens (Psalm 139:7-10).
The middle of the book marks a turning point. Liu turns our eyes towards Jesus, and we see that even our savior experienced shame. Throughout his life and especially on the cross, his was marked by shame and sorrow. But what matters most is that he experienced it for us. Christians are now empowered to rest and build our house upon the Rock. This book is literally Gospel-centered, full of worship and gratitude for our savior.
A Message of Hope
In many ways, this book is a challenge to live a life of faith. Liu acknowledges that the Christian life is not a walk in the park. We will still be found unpopular and even hated by the world. But what matters most is knowing we are known and loved by God. With this in mind, we can admit our brokenness in our bodies and look for grace amidst thorns of shame that remain. Liu is an amazing guide, skilled in sharing scripture and writing with warmth and wisdom.
The book ends with a message of hope. While the help of the Holy Spirit and depending on others in the church to carry us, we can place our full hope and trust in Jesus. And hope does not put us to shame.
I received a media copy of Shame and this is my honest review.
July 10, 2024
Because of sin, shame is an ever present trouble in nearly everybody’s life. But how is a Christian supposed to deal with it when it seems ever present and growing larger? This book offers bite-sized lessons that will help you to understand and work through your shame with God’s help. If you’re overwhelmed with shame, this devotional is an excellent place to start. Recommended for everybody who is ready to remove the barrier of shame between them and God.
July 31, 2023
If I could give this work more than five stars I would.
February 12, 2024
So good!
March 2, 2024
I loved this book. Esther shared insights that stuck with me and made me wanted to share them with everyone I know.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews