The Road to Redemption
MORGAN KRUEGER
Lee en español
“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 145:8 (ESV)
“We need to talk about our pasts …”
My now-husband, Ryan, and I were dating, and things were getting serious. There were conversations we needed to have as we headed toward engagement. My past was an area that I avoided with every fiber of my being. But I knew if I wanted the future God had for me, I needed to face the past that haunted me.
The question is: How do we revisit our past in a way that brings healing and freedom?
We must understand what’s holding us back: shame.
Shame entered the garden of Eden in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden tree, going against God’s command. Once they made that decision, they realized they were exposed, and they turned from God instead of to Him. Running away from God feeds shame. Running to God fuels freedom.Our direction dictates our freedom.
The problem with shame is that it doesn’t just fixate on what we’ve done. It convinces us to believe lies about who we are. It attacks our truest identity.
So what do we do with shame?
Friend, we need to go back to our past. I know it feels scary. But I have good news for you: You don’t have to go back to your past with the enemy.
For years, this is why I could never find freedom. I was revisiting my past with the enemy, the master of lies. When we do this, he will continue to keep us replaying the same old mistakes, with no relief in sight.
Instead, let’s go back with Jesus. The enemy wants to take us back to relive. Jesus wants to take us back to redeem.
Practically, what does this look like?
1. We choose what we think about. For years, when I got a flashback from my past, I didn’t fight it. I relived it. Jesus offers us a better way. Philippians 4:8 gives us a framework for how to think:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (NIV).
2. We bring people into our shame. In God’s design, He sends us people to remind us that there’s freedom in Christ. James puts it this way: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16a, NIV).
When we let people in, freedom starts to replace our shame piece by piece.
3. We take God at His word. Psalm 145:8 reminds us of His character: “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Friend, go back with Jesus. Let Him redeem spaces, friendships, memories, hometowns, family members, and more — as only He can. You name it, and He can redeem it.
Dear God, help me to trust You as the ultimate Redeemer of my story, and allow me to walk in Your freedom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Want to continue on this road to redemption in Jesus? Check out Morgan’s book Goodbye Hiding, Hello Freedom: Trading Your Shame for Redemption in Jesus, where you will study the biblical perspective on shame and gain practical tools to work through your past and step into the full freedom God has for your life!
ENGAGE
Connect with Morgan on Instagram! To learn more about Morgan and her ministry, check out her website.
Click here to subscribe to Morgan’s Substack and receive her free resource “Full of Freedom,” a four-part guide taking you deeper into what it looks like to trust God with your past and your future.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (ESV).
Whether it’s writing out a verse from today’s devotion, calling a friend, or crying out to God in prayer, what’s one next step you can take today to walk in freedom? Share with us in the comments!
© 2025 by Morgan Krueger. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Monday, 01 September 2025.
SHARE
