In this episode, I share more about how this truth has played out in my own life — and the steps you can take to make it real in yours.
God’s Love Doesn’t Shame Your Pain
In John 8:1-11 (NLT), we read the story about the woman caught in adultery:
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
The first thing I want to note here is that Jesus – as the Son of God and member of the Trinity – is a perfect reflection of God’s character.
In fact, in John 14:9 (NLT), Jesus says to his disciple Phillip, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?”
The second item of note is that these particular Pharisees were purposefully shaming this woman in order to try and trick Jesus into saying something they could use against them.
The text clearly says that she was caught in the act. That means the man was present, too. Yet they only brought the woman before Jesus.
Thirdly, can you just imagine how this woman felt? What was going through her mind?
Who knows what led her to adultery. Maybe it was purely lust. Maybe she was an easy target due to low self-esteem or a bad childhood. Maybe it was desperation. Maybe, like me, she suddenly found herself without a husband or provider. (And unlike me, not able to be educated and get a job.)
We don’t know her situation. But regardless of the details, I imagine that experience was horrifying.
One, she was caught in the act.
Two, she was dragged out into the streets – and by religious leaders, no less. (And I doubt they allowed her time to make herself presentable.)
Three, she was placed at the feet of Jesus.
And four, she was shamed and condemned in public all for the nefarious purposes of others.
You want to talk about a deep hurt that would likely last a long time?
Or an event that would have deep repercussions in that moment and in the year (or years) ahead? This definitely qualifies.
Yet where was Jesus’ focus? How did He react?
Not with shame. Not with condemnation. Not with denial or putting Himself first.
He foiled the Pharisee's plans to trick Him, sure. But not at the women’s expense.
He protected her from physical harm. Then offered compassion and forgiveness.
Yes, He acknowledged her sin. But not to make her feel guilty, or ashamed, or not good enough. His desire was that she turn from her sin.
He wanted healing for her, in the deepest of places, not harm.
The Pharisees had used her – causing pain, trauma, and hardship – for their own ends. They had purposefully caused her harm – and even tried to end her life.
Yet Jesus took what they meant for harm and turned it on its ear. Not just for the woman herself – but for the millions of people who have read the account in the Bible since.
God Longs to Heal Your Deepest Wounds
Friend, please believe me when I say that, whatever you’ve experienced this past year, whatever wounds are lingering from 2025 or even previous years, God wants to bring healing.
He wants 2026 to look different because He wants you to be different. In a good way.
He’s not looking to furrow His brow, or wag His finger at you, or plop a list of all of your sins and failures before you to shame you.
That’s not God’s character. As it says in 1 John 4:8, “...God is love.” He doesn’t just feel love as an emotion. It’s a core part of who He is.
And that love naturally wants to heal. Including – and especially – your deepest wounds.
The things you sometimes don’t want to acknowledge, or talk about, or feel as if can never be made whole.
Or the failures you’re currently clinging tightly to.
Psalm 147:3 (NLT) says, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
And in Isaiah 61:1 (NLT), we read this prophetic word about Jesus: “He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted.”
2026 can be a different year. A truly fresh start versus yet another year that feels like a do-over.
Here’s a simple exercise that you can do today to help release the pain, heartbreak, shame, or even exhaustion from this year:
Exercise: “Letting God Hold What Hurts”
Set aside 10–15 quiet minutes today with a journal, piece of paper, or even a blank Canva design.
Name what still hurts. Write down the moments, disappointments, or emotions from this past year that still weigh on you. Be honest—this space is between you and God.
Feel it with Him. As you look at each word or phrase, take a slow breath and imagine placing it into God’s loving hands. You might say aloud, “God, I give this to You.”
Replace it with truth. Under each painful thing you wrote, write a healing truth—like “God heals the brokenhearted” (Psalm 147:3) or “He binds up my wounds” (Isaiah 61:1).
Tip: If you’re not sure what verses to use, you can Google “Bible verses about healing” or “God’s comfort,” or—if you’re part of Relate Escape Place—ask for ideas or share a photo of your finished list in the community.
Keep or release. You can save the page as a reminder of God’s love at work—or safely tear it up or delete it as a sign that you’ve released it into His care.
God’s love doesn’t shame your pain. It heals it. Let Him meet you where it still hurts.