Grace Over Image: Trusting God After Humiliation

Recently, I felt humiliated at work.

I volunteered to share my journey during my time there. Ladies, contrary to what you might believe about me, I do not enjoy public speaking at all. It’s something I genuinely struggle with. Still, I said yes.

To prepare, I spent hours carefully thinking through what I wanted to say—rewriting, rehearsing, and praying over my words. On the day of, my nerves were intense. I was anxious, shaky, and questioning why I had volunteered in the first place.

So I prayed.

I quoted Scripture aloud to steady my heart:

“The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”— Proverbs 29:25

As I prayed, something shifted. My nerves calmed. My breathing slowed. And then—I spoke.

I didn’t know how long I talked. No one had given me a time limit, so I simply shared what I felt led to share. When I finished what felt like a difficult but faithful task, I finally exhaled—only to hear that someone had said I took too long.

In that moment, embarrassment washed over me. Then anger followed. And before I knew it, I spent the rest of the day replaying the moment—cringing, judging myself, spiraling.

The Holy Spirit gently prompted me to quiet my emotions and bring it to God.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I sat in humiliation. I let it grow louder than the truth. I let my desire to save face overshadow the reason I spoke in the first place.

Later, in stillness, the Lord impressed this truth on my heart:

I need to care less about saving face and more about seeing others saved by grace.

That moment wasn’t about my delivery, my timing, or my performance. It was about obedience. It was about testimony. It was about pointing others—however imperfectly—to the grace that has sustained me.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”— Galatians 1:10

When we step out in faith, the enemy often tries to redirect our focus—from God’s purpose to people’s opinions. One comment can undo hours of prayer if we let it. But obedience isn’t measured by applause. Sometimes it’s measured by humility.

How many of us have been there?

We do something hard, something vulnerable, something God-led—and then we replay the criticism instead of resting in His approval. We spiral not because we failed, but because we momentarily forget whom we are serving.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God.”— Ephesians 2:8

Grace reminds us that our worth is not tied to performance. Our identity is secure. And our obedience—however imperfect—is still usable in the hands of God.

So I’m learning to release the need to look polished and composed. I’m learning to trust that God can use even awkward moments, even discomfort, even humiliation for His glory.

Because in the end, saving face is temporary.

But grace?

Grace changes lives.

Quick Reflection

What would change today if you cared less about saving face and more about reflecting God’s grace?

Closing Statement

Saving face may protect our pride, but grace transforms hearts. When we choose obedience over approval, we create space for God to work beyond our imperfections. May we trust Him with the outcome, rest in His approval, and boldly reflect the grace that first saved us—because grace, not image, is what truly changes lives.