Confession is a nasty word. It seems heavy and cumbersome. It feels too personal and embarrassing. It appears to be deadly, even, at least to personal gain and self-preservation. But what if I told you it is the single most life giving thing you can do!
Watch: Back in January, I promoted an experiment of benevolence. I even wrote about it in a Wednesday at the WOL message. The challenge was 10 in 60. I shared that I would do 10 kind acts (and as anonymous as possible) in 60 days. Well, guess what? I FAILED! I barely even squeezed out HALF!!!
I have had anxiety even thinking about sharing this, want to hide behind the secret, and had all the thoughts of just letting it go since we’re another 60 past the deadline and no one knows any different.
But, now that I’ve gotten it out there, the oppressive weight is lifted and there is nothing that is holding me back any longer. It feels better just writing it and freeing knowing it is disclosed.
David experienced something similar as he let his power take him somewhere he never thought he’d be. As king, he controlled the lives of everyone in his kingdom. He didn’t dictate their daily coming and going but he could have, and he certainly could demand their life in a moment’s notice.
It is in this context of authoritative abuse he had an affair and took a man’s life. He kept this secret, and the darkness began eating him away. A trusted friend came to him and called him out on his nefarious actions and David crumpled at the weight of it all.
His guilt had piled up and he was being destroyed inside. We get to see the redemption and the life given back upon his confession.
In Psalm 32, we read of David’s recounting this experience: First he shares of the painful part of keeping it hidden, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away and I groaned all day long…my strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.” Then we read the deliverance that came, “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you (God) and stopped trying to hide my guilt….And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”
I know my example is petty and you are probably thinking, I don’t even remember that. But that’s ok. The practice of confession is a necessary part of our restoration journey. David’s big deeds, left hidden, would have likely destroyed him and taken him out of the redemption story (family tree of Jesus). Yes, he still suffered consequences (his son born of the affair, died, and later David had trouble with his boys as we read last week). Life wasn’t perfect but David’s heart was being perfected.
As we see with David, confession to God is where his restoration began. We also read in James 5 that confessing to one another is the next step in that process and where healing takes place.
If you are living with guilt, buried under shame, weighed down by sin, and feeling like every day you’re barely breathing through a plastic bag, then I invite you to confess. Confess to God first, then find another, to your pastor, to your friend, to me, etc. Experience new life today!
#Confession
#TellSomebody
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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