Secrets

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Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. (NIV)

I have a good friend of mine, who is a counselor, and he has a great saying, “our secrets make us sick.” We all carry secrets in our hearts of moments when we made mistakes that we later regret. The burden of such guilt can cause us to be depressed about the past and anxious concerning the future. I’ve been a pastor for over 21 years and no matter which side of the Atlantic I’ve been ministering to, people are the same all over. Guilt can grind away at our souls and diminish our happiness. Shame can sever us from God and our church.

I’m glad that I’m a Presbyterian and a part of the Reformed tradition. It means that whenever I get plagued by regret at doing something wrong, or angry at myself for disappointing others, I can freely and directly come to Christ with my inward issues and release them to God. By spiritually transferring them to Him, I feel released of the burden and totally appreciative of the grace that I experience. It makes me want to learn from the situation and try to do better next time. These secret things belong to God and my spirit is no longer oppressed by them.

For some of us, a good confessor or a wise counselor can bring them to this reality, too. The gifts of discernment that have been given to some professionals enable them to gently bring secrets to the surface, deal with the issues, and discover solutions. Hope and healing can bring about a new lease of life and a better understanding of the reasons about why we make mistakes and what we can do to avoid them. In the whole process, secrets are released and given to God. Absolution and resolution are given back in return.

Whatever you’re carrying in your heart at this time, know that God can embrace your burden and liberate your weary spirit. Confession is good for the soul and whether it is done quietly and personally to God, or professionally and diligently with a trained counselor, the results can be the same – freedom from the past and faith in the future.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You died for our sins so You know every mistake that we have made. You bore the burden of our guilt, so that we could be restored to God’s love. Encourage us to seek help and healing through confession and counseling for the things that weary our souls, burden our hearts, and unsettle our minds. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.