Reproach is shame, blame, disgrace, disapproval and a

Host: The café was quiet, the low murmur of conversation mixing with the faint sound of the espresso machine in the background. The late afternoon light had faded, leaving behind a soft, golden glow. Jack and Jeeny sat at a small table by the window, both sipping their coffee. Jack seemed a little distant, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of his cup. Jeeny, sensing his introspective mood, waited for him to speak.

Host: After a moment, Jack looked up, his voice soft but filled with thought.

Jack: “I came across a quote from Joyce Meyer today. She said, ‘Reproach is shame, blame, disgrace, disapproval, and a disrespectful attitude toward yourself. When you’re under reproach, your behavior shows it.’ It made me think about how self-judgment and shame can really shape the way we act. When we feel reproach, it affects everything — how we carry ourselves, how we interact with others. Do you think that feeling reproach toward ourselves is something we can overcome, or is it just something we have to live with?”

Jeeny’s eyes softened as she listened, her expression understanding. She set her coffee cup down gently before responding.

Jeeny: “I think it’s something that’s deeply tied to how we view ourselves. When we feel reproach — that self-criticism or shame — it seeps into how we behave because we start to believe we don’t deserve to be treated well, or that we’re somehow not enough. The good news is, it’s not something we have to live with. Reproach isn’t permanent unless we let it be. It’s about learning to forgive ourselves, to release that judgment and shift the way we think about our own worth. It’s a process of healing.”

Host: Jack nodded slowly, clearly absorbing her words. His fingers paused on the cup, and the quiet of the café seemed to deepen as they continued their conversation.

Jack: “But how do you stop feeling that reproach? It’s easy to say that we need to forgive ourselves, but when you’ve internalized that sense of disapproval for so long, it’s hard to just let it go. How do you actually break free from that cycle?”

Jeeny smiled gently, her eyes steady with compassion as she responded.

Jeeny: “It’s definitely not easy, and it’s not something that changes overnight. It starts with awareness — recognizing that the reproach is there, that it’s affecting the way you feel about yourself and how you act. From there, it’s about challenging those negative thoughts and replacing them with compassionate ones. When we make mistakes or don’t live up to our own expectations, it’s important to remind ourselves that we are human, that we don’t have to be perfect. Forgiveness isn’t just about letting go of past actions, it’s about embracing ourselves as we are — flaws and all.”

Host: Jack seemed to reflect on her words, his gaze softening as the realization started to take root. The weight of the conversation seemed to ease as he allowed himself to consider the idea of releasing self-reproach.

Jack: “So, it’s about changing the way we view ourselves, learning to treat ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we’d offer a friend. It’s about breaking free from the belief that we’re somehow unworthy of respect.”

Jeeny nodded, her smile gentle but knowing.

Jeeny: “Exactly. When we let go of that shame, when we stop letting reproach define us, we give ourselves the freedom to grow and heal. It’s not about pretending to be perfect or denying mistakes — it’s about being kind enough to forgive ourselves and understand that we are worthy of love, respect, and growth.”

Host: The conversation settled into a quiet rhythm, the gentle realization that self-reproach is a burden that can be lifted. Jack sat back in his chair, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. The café, once filled with the usual background noise, now seemed like a space of understanding and reflection. Inside, Jack and Jeeny shared a deeper truth: that self-forgiveness is a process, and that the path to healing begins with embracing ourselves, flaws and all.