Posted by By Mark Tetley
Last week I wrote that true change began to occur in my life when I began to share everything with God, the good the bad and the ugly. (Read it here) I had some people contact me about their apprehension to share everything with God. For some people, it would be like a person who had successfully robbed a bank going to a judge and admitting to it, or it would be like a person going to the company president and telling them that they think it’s a terrible company and they don’t like working there. I understand why you might not want to talk to God about everything in your life and mind. I can think of three underlying reasons that you would not want to talk to God about everything.
First, you are afraid He might become angry with you. This is why as children we didn’t tell our parents about the bad things we did in spite of how often they told us that we could tell them anything.
Secondly, you are embarrassed by what you have done. We are already upset with ourselves, why would we go and talk to God about it? It will just make us feel worse.
Thirdly, if you say it (confess), then you will have to do something about it. We like doing some things even though we know they are wrong. If we start talking to God about them, He might persuade us to stop.
Let me give you five stronger reasons for why you should talk to God about everything.
1. He invites you to do so. Hebrew 4:16 tells us to speak confidently to God, because He hears us, not as a judge, but as a gracious helper, who is willing to show up mercy and help us when we need it. (See bottom of article for Scripture.)
2. He already sees everything you have done and He knows everything you are thinking. Psalm 139:1 lets us know that we aren’t keeping anything from God by not talking to Him. To think so is like a toddler who thinks that if she covers her eyes you will not be able to see her anymore because she can’t see you.
3. Confession is the way to change and new beginnings. This is why the first step in recovery programs states that we are powerless over “_____” and our lives have become unmanageable. In 1 John 1:9, God promises to forgive and cleanse us when we confess.
4. He will not love you any less or more based on what you do or think. This is what makes talking to God such a safe practice. Romans 8:38-39 tells us that nothing will remove me from being loved by God.
5. He is the safest person you can talk to. Psalm 46:1 describes God as a cave that we can run into and find protection from whatever is coming at us. He is not a cave that we have to go find, but He is always present when we need Him.
You will be amazed after the first time you really open up to God and lightning bolts don’t zap you, but instead, you feel the reinforcing response of an all-loving, gracious God as He demonstrates His faithfulness to you.
Still having trouble? Try one of these . . .
- Write God a letter telling Him everything. Read it out loud to God and then shred it
- Sit across from an empty chair and talk to Him as you would your best friend.
VERSE REFERENCES
- Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- Psalm 139:1 – O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
- 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Romans 8:38-39 – For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Connections 