Secret Sins: Because Sometimes We Need to Stop Hiding & Seek Help

Photo credit: richkidsunite

So, I'm not very transparent. I realized that today as I sat listening to a woman in my Bible study today pour out her heart, and I had nothing to say.

Sharing my feelings, venting my frustrations, asking for advice--none of that comes easy for me. I'm much more of a figure-it-out-for-myself kinda gal. Yes, it's pride. But I also tend to think of my faults as trivial. Hey, I haven't murdered anyone, right?

But to think that my sins are inconsequential is foolish.

Instead of asking for the help I need, instead of calling out to the One who can help, I bottle up my secret sins, shove them into the dark recesses of my mind, and file them away as if no one can see them. And they can't.

But He can.

God knows my heart problems. He knows the deep dark secrets that no one--not even my husband--fully comprehends.

And to think that I'm fooling Him, that I can put on this good girl mask and present a pretty front to the world and He'll buy it too, well, that's just ridiculous. Foolish and ridiculous.

He knows.

We all have struggles. There are some problems we might feel comfortable sharing with a close friend and other areas that we would be embarrassed if anyone knew. So instead of dealing with that issue, we hide from it.

But what happens? The sin festers and grows until it reaches the blistering point.

Then, when we snap, when we reach our limit, when there's no where else to turn, we start to wonder if maybe that sin is really bigger than we thought. That maybe we might just need a little help.

Photo credit: yellowcloud

I'm struggling: with loving my husband like I should, with showing grace to my children, with anger issues, with so many seemingly trivial insecurities. And yet people think I've got it all together, that I'm a great wife and mom, that I'm Little Miss Homemaker. But it's a facade. My issues are real. I've just managed to hide them better than they have. I've played it safe and kept my dirty laundry at home instead of airing it for others to see.

And what have I gained?

Nothing. In fact, I venture to guess that I've lost a lot because instead of seeking the help I need, I've turned and run in the other direction. I've avoided the sin staring me in the face and tried to assuage my guilt through good works.

But if we want to grow in His glory and if we want to be better wives, moms, and daughters of the King, then we have to acknowledge areas of sin that we've been hiding, and we have to take them to God, humbly submitting them at His feet, and asking for forgiveness, healing, and change. We may not be ready to share our struggles with others yet, but we at least need to confess them to the One who already knows.

Is there a secret sin you've been too afraid to admit--something you think no one else knows about and that you might be too ashamed to share? Confess it to the One who loves you no matter what and who wants to help you become the child He's called you to be.

I'm praying for you as we strive to become more like Christ each day. Pray for me, too.

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