I was sitting in the craft room at my computer no doubt doing something of no real value when I felt this nudge….“confess.” In my head I said “I’m sorry, #saywhat?” I looked around the room as if someone were there whispering from the hallway. Nothing. So, I shook my head and went back to what I was doing and then it came again…..”confess.” My heart started to beat rapidly and I’m pretty sure I was holding my breath when I said in my head, a little more timidly this time, “#saywhat?” and now there was no doubt; God was telling me it was time to “confess.”
I pondered what I should do about this “nudge” which now felt more like a full-on assault. I knew what I needed to confess was more than just a “little” sin. In my mind, this was huge, this was “lives” changing and this could never be taken back once it was out there. There were gonna be serious consequences and I played all of them in my mind and none of them were gonna be pretty. It’s done; it’s in the past, what good could come from any of this coming out now after all these years? “Seriously Lord, I can’t wanna do this.”
I thought when I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, got baptized and started walking in the ways of the Lord, I would just be able to shake off that prison. I mean I was forgiven, right? I was a new creation in Christ and I was forgiven. Total truth!! Problem was, the Lord forgave me, but the past regrets and fear of one day being found out kept me from forgiving myself and moving forward. I pushed my chair away from the computer and defiantly walked away. I started pacing the floor arguing the whys, and no-ways of how this was not going to be good for anyone least of all me. I worried about the past catching up with me and letting the lies be found out by the very people I sinned against. Nope, absolutely no good could come from such a confession.
I don’t know why I argue with God. He will win when you want to live the life He has planned for you. What I didn’t know or truly understand was sometimes you will be found in a place where you will have to be radically obedient to what He says. This was one of those times.
Hands shaking, tears already welling up in my eyes, I sat down to type one of the scariest letters of my life. You see, I was a wife..not once, but three times. During those days there was no personal relationship with the Lord there was pretty much only self gratification. I was a good wife, but, gulp, I wasn’t a faithful wife. I gave no heed to the commandment “thou shalt not commit adultery.” So in not paying heed to that commandment, I also broke many more. I would like to say I didn’t commit murder, but in fact I had murdered a spirit…mine. I walled myself in; built an emotional fortress, cementing the wall with tears, pain, shame, guilt, anger, worthlessness, and loathing and no matter the forgiveness I knew the Lord gave, I just couldn’t get past what the lies were holding together. Confess. Confess. Confess.
It’s true you know….confession IS good for the soul. It took time to tell all three of my ex-husbands what I had done and no, it wasn’t an overnight feeling of “I’m free,” but day by day the guilt lifted. God knew what I needed. In my own strength there was no way I could have ever confessed, but He lovingly carried me through and continues to prune the garden of my heart, pulling the weeds and filling the cracks with His everlasting love. I think I’ll take love over guilt any day! Best part….the enemy no longer has that foothold in my life. It’s crushed under my feet and I stand firm on the rock that is my God.
Blessed to be Broken 
wow sister…you have me speechless…what a beautiful testimony…a song that comes to mind is Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace”…
“My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns,Unending love,
Amazing grace
Blessings to you sweet sis ❤ you ❤
When I first heard that song I never really understood what it meant, there were just words to a tune. Every time I hear it now, I cry tears of joy. I love how awesome God is 🙂 Blessings and love to you Dianna
Trish,
Thank you for being brave, vulnerable and transparent. What a beautiful story of forgiveness and redemption! Beauty for ashes, sister! Love~Shelly
Thanks Shelley, I’m so glad I listened when He said to confess. It may have been hard, but life was so much harder with the all the lies. Beauty for ashes…amen to that. Love ya!!
Trish thank you for sharing your testimony and for saying yes to the radical obedience. Yes you are free. Someone one told me when you speak it, it looses it power over you. Bless you dear sister!
Bless you too Kimiepooh and thanks so much for stopping by 🙂