Neither the First Nor the Last
What can you actually accomplish through a blog? I ask myself that question on a regular basis. None of us needs one more thing to read, but all of us need two other things: to be reminded that we’re not alone and challenged to become the woman God created us to be. Somewhere in the chaos of 21st century living, both of these truths get lost, forgotten, twisted, or delayed.My little bathroom flood ordeal has been a light reminder of a serious truth. We all need to know that we’re not alone. The moment it happened, I felt so stupid. Yet between my daughter’s sweet text and my dad’s gracious “I’ve done that before” when I called for advice, I was quickly reminded that we all make mistakes.An overflowing sink is relatively easy for someone to admit to, but what about more painful regrets? How do you find freedom from the haunting aftermath of a night where you had too much to drink? How do you break loose from being a hostage to the enemy when you’ve cheated on your husband? Is there any hope for coming out of darkness if you have regrets over an abortion or a decision that seems unforgivable?[bctt tweet="The way to find light almost always requires a risk."]Please hear me loud and clear: You can be set free. It’s often the darkness, not the choice itself, that will destroy you. We must remember that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy is called The Liar in Scripture. The same enemy who whispers, “It’s no big deal” and “Everyone does it” is the one who changes his mantra after you make a poor decision and whispers, “I can’t believe you did that!” and “No one will forgive you for this!” What do we usually do? Hide… in the darkness. What must we do? Find light.The way to find light almost always requires a risk. You must risk being vulnerable. I referenced the importance of realizing you were a fellow struggler in my earlier post. This requires a wise and calculated risk. You must find someone you trust and someone who walks in humility, so you can share your burden.Before you resist my counsel, you must remember that the pain of honesty is better than the pain of secrecy. Living with a lie will destroy you from the inside out. I can’t promise that your trusted person will respond with a Christ-like attitude, but it’s worth the risk.[bctt tweet="The pain of honesty is better than the pain of secrecy."]You must also remember that you’re neither the first nor the last person to carry this sense of failure. Plenty of other people have done the exact same thing. Whether through a support or recovery group, a Christian counselor, a family member, or friend, I urge you to verbalize your failure. When you’re able to realize that you’re still loved when you acknowledge your struggle, the grip of the enemy can then be released. When you allow people into your darkness, God can use them to bring light.P.S. Let’s also acknowledge that this shame and darkness doesn’t just come and sit on the person who made the choice. Just ask a mother how she feels if her child, big or small, has failed in some public way. Suspensions, pregnancies, and arrests happen all around us. A mother usually take on the same weight of silent shame that her son or daughter carries. Moms, you, too, must risk being honest to learn that there are other moms who have walked in your shoes.