[God] knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:21
Once you become more comfortable identifying feelings and allowing yourself to feel them, you need to be honest about what is going on inside you. There is sickness in secrecy. The sinning psalmist said, "When I kept things to myself, I felt weak deep inside me" (32:3 NCV). When we are willing to be open, healing becomes possible. By breaking our silence and speaking the truth about ourselves to another person, we move out of the darkness and bring secrets into the light. Confessing our sins and talking about the wrongs done to us is another key to spiritual healing and health.
As we have been making our way through Arterburn's book, it is very obvious that he is writing to a specific target group: those with addictions or those who struggle with deep emotional pain. Being honest, I am struggling to really identify with each chapter. However, each chapter is filled with biblical truth that should be a part of every person's walk with Christ. For example, in this chapter, Arterburn is highlighting the cleansing power of confession. James 5:16 says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed."
Do you like exposing your sin to another person? I sure don't. This is not natural. However, it really doesn't matter what we think. God's word says that we are to confess our sins to each other and pray. While I am a little leary about this exercise, I am going to seek out a trusting confidant today and try it out.
Lord, I know your Word is true and can be trusted, but Lord, help me to live this one out. I am not too sure about confessing my sins to another person, but since you say there is healing and wholeness in store for those who are able to do this, help me to be obedient to your Word.
This is hard. It is also necessary. But is not balance here also so important? Confession is sacred, in a sense, and so the hearer carries enormous responsibility not just to the individual but also to God. Also, some people and faith communities use this principle as a means of control. This is why healthy connections are critical to confession.
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