Anger, greed, jealousy, and guilt are negative emotions than can bind our hearts tighter than a wet rope. If we are bound by ropes, we are unable to move, frozen with no ability to move in any direction. So it is when the tentacles of these negative emotions grab a toehold and begin to strangle the very lifeblood of hope from us that the good is locked out. When we are so choked off with the strangle hold of the negative, the hope of the good coming to light becomes diminished. As sure as a garden will not grow when the sunlight is blocked from it, our hearts will also be kept from growing if the negative emotions have formed a barrier choking off our growth.
The last chapter I read dealt with the need for confession. Andy points out our need to confess by reminding us of how we would feel if we were given a confession and apology long needed but never expected. How would it impact our lives if one who had wronged us freely came forward to admit what they had done and ask for forgiveness. Thinking this over, I knew it would have a huge impact on my heart and my trust of my fellow man. More than likely it is entirely possible it would forever change me for the better.
As I pondered this, I realized I had unresolved guilt over an incident decades in the past. Sadly, I cannot remember the person's name who was involved in my deception for they were only in my life for a brief time. I do remember the incident and have felt guilty over it for all these years. The same day I read this chapter a couple of friends came over who also have read this book. I told them the story and my willingness to confess, but my inability to remember the name of the one who needed my apology (LONG GONE from this neck of the woods). Wisely, one of the two looked at me and said, "You just confessed--you told us." So the power of the secret was expelled by my verbal confession and the stronghold of the negative emotion of guilt was crushed when I admitted what I had done.
My secret was exposed and my guilt was absolved when I admitted my wrong. The tentacle of guilt was cut the day I told the long hidden secret of what I had done. This tentacle had been strangling the life blood flowing to my heart and my growth had been stymied by the poison of unconfessed sin.
SO--you are not going to like this, but it all needs to come out--to grow--to flourish--you have to pull the strangling weeds of the negative emotions which are blocking the Son. Simple as that---give it up--let it go---and grow!
Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
James 5:16
This post is controversial in many ways. Where do I start? Where are my Diplomacy Skills, for I have been told often enough that I have none.
ReplyDeleteConfession: Yes, confession is good for the soul especially if it is honest, accompanied by the need for forgiveness, and a resolve not to repeat the wrong-doing. The Catholics, (oh ... not them again ...), encourage confessions to a priest who can give advice and forgive sins as Christ empowered (Matthew 18:18). Now ... I have my uneasy thoughts about this, best left unspoken for now. Other people, believe it is sufficient to confess direct to God, as long as the conditions outlined above apply. Again, I have some thoughts on this. Will the confession to Someone you don't see or hear become in time just a routine exercise devoid of any real remorse or regrets?
What about your example where the wronged one has moved elsewhere, or has died, and therefore you cannot confess direct or seek their forgiveness? Let's remember that God knows the situation and therefore will deal with it in His way. If the wronged one has died, and perhaps was partly guilty in the wrong doing, this is now made clear to him in front of God. It is God's responsibility now, not yours. If the wronged one is still alive but miles away from you; yet again, this is God's responsibility, not yours. All you need to do, is to seek God's forgiveness for your part in the wrong doing. Honestly and with a resolve not to repeat the wrong doing towards anyone else. Whether you confess it direct to God, to a priest, or, as you did, to friends, is up to you.
God bless.
The most important part of the exercise for me was the removal of the veil of secrecy. Sin lost its power when I admitted what I had done. I do think the scriptures are clear in the need to go to the one we have wronged first, but since this was impossible, my confession to my friends was the substitute for that missing step. Freedom from the burden of sin was the objective. Mission accomplished as God also forgave me when I then turned it over to Him.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Oh oh...so guilty...facing uncomfortable truths lately (what with mil and all)...this is really close to home (the topic)….
ReplyDeletekeeping you in prayer, Lulu.
Praying for you too, Linda, as you traverse the path of illness and the ultimate end.
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Confessing our wrongdoings isn't easy, but as you point out here, Lulu, it's absolutely essential. Yep, it's time to break the tentacles!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, and thanks so much for your thoughts today!
Admitting my failure was painful, Martha. BUT my friends still loved me--even in my failure.
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!