Turning Cringe into Confidence

We’ve all been there. You’re lying in bed, just about to fall asleep, when suddenly that memory hits. You know the one—the awkward moment where you said something weird or did something so embarrassing you want to crawl under a rock. Sometimes it’s a small slip-up, and other times, it’s something so painfully embarrassing that it still haunts you years later. You cringe, bury your face in your pillow, and wonder, “Why can’t I just forget this?”

Sound familiar? Trust me, I’ve been there too. I’ve had those moments that make me want to hide. Sometimes, these moments may actually be as bad as we make them out to be, but they don’t define us. So how do we move past the shame and embarrassment that lingers? Let’s talk about it.

Owning the Embarrassment Without Letting It Own You

It’s important to acknowledge that some moments can’t just be brushed aside. Ignoring the embarrassment or pretending it wasn’t a big deal won’t make it go away. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is face it head-on. Admit it to yourself: Yeah, that was rough. But from there, the real question is, what now?

You have two choices: let the shame define you, or choose to see it as part of a bigger picture. You can own the embarrassment, learn from it, and move forward without letting it define you. Owning it doesn’t mean you obsess over it—it means you accept that it happened, but you don’t let it have the final say on who you are. Our worth is found in so much more.

Why Shame Sticks Around

Shame is a powerful emotion because it taps into our deepest fear—that we aren’t enough. We replay moments in our head, convinced that these mistakes reveal something awful about who we are.

But I let something else–someone else define me instead. My confidence to move forward came from knowing that I am deeply loved and valued beyond my worst moments by the God who knows and created me. Once I started to see this, I realized that shame didn’t have to dictate how I felt or how I lived.

Finding Confidence in Something Bigger

Overcoming these cringe moments isn’t just about pushing those thoughts away. Realizing that my worth is far more than the sum of my mistakes, I know I have been redeemed by Jesus who gives me the confidence to live knowing how loved I am—something that has grounded me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. That relationship with God has become a constant reminder that I am valued beyond my worst moments.

When I started leaning on that truth, it shifted how I saw myself. When those feelings of shame rise, I remind myself that I’m more than those moments—and I encourage you to do the same, whatever your source of strength may be.

Moving Forward

One practical way to work through shame is to acknowledge it but not give it more power than it deserves. A short prayer or moment of reflection can help you find peace when these feelings arise. Take a quiet moment to center yourself can remind you that life is bigger than the fleeting moments of embarrassment.

If you’re not sure where to begin, here is a simple prayer to start with:
“Dear God, I am struggling with my past, and it’s affecting my life. Please give me the peace and confidence I need to move forward. Show me a new perspective of who I am and how to see my situations. Amen.”

Whether it’s through prayer, journaling, or talking to someone you trust, finding a way to process the shame instead of pushing it away is key. It won’t disappear overnight, but with time, you’ll notice that those moments have less and less control over you.

Conclusion

The truth is, sometimes your embarrassing moments are as bad as they feel. But they don’t have to define you. When you remember that your identity in Jesus is much greater than your moments of awkwardness, it frees you from the grip of shame. He loves you fully, even when society or your social circle may think negatively of you. The next time those memories hit, remind yourself of who you truly are—and keep moving forward.