Enduring PainSample

When John (my husband) and I were first married, I ran a daycare in our home.  There was this dad of one of my daycare children who was super friendly and very kind.  He would always make sure to check on my day and occasionally take out the trash.  Well, I started to really enjoy him taking out the trash (kind of lame, huh?!).  But I started becoming more excited to see him each day.  

Eventually, I realized that I had a little crush on this man. Confessing this to John would be embarrassing, possibly hurtful to him, and maybe even painful. I felt silly and a little ashamed when I mustered up the courage to tell John. As soon as I told him, my feelings for the other man began to dissipate, and as my husband forgave me, the pain of confession gave birth to a new intimacy and trust in my marriage.

The pain of confession was real, but it brought so much freedom and healing. I love how Jesus’ brother James explains it: “When we confess our sins, that is the beginning of true healing.” 

Are there things in your life that you are ashamed to admit to someone? Is it causing you pain? Do you think enduring a little awkwardness and shame could be worth the amount of freedom in Christ you could experience through practicing confession?

Challenge:  Prayerfully ask God to show you where you may be holding onto unconfessed sin. Ask Him for the boldness to confess it.