“The consequences of confession are far less severe than the consequences of concealment. Secrets are like buried splinters: The best thing to do is to get them out; otherwise, the wound gets infected.”- Andy Stanley
Andy Stanley concluders Chapter 12 of Enemies of the Heart as he asserts that if your really want to understand the power of confession, put yourself on the receiving end. Consequently, Pastor Stanley asks you to think for a moment – whose apology do you most desire and least expect? Next, Andy asks you to imagine what might take place in your heart if, with sincere humility, the person you just named offered to do whatever necessary within his or her power to provide restitution for what he/she took from you.
Pastor Stanley guesses that you’d never be the same. Furthermore, he thinks you’d find it virtually impossible to resist the changes taking place in your own heart. And, your words might bring healing to a wounded soul. After all, Andy adds, Jesus paid the ultimate price to reconcile you back to Him. Now, He’s calling you to pay the price to reconcile with your offended parties.
Sure, Pastor Stanley admits, we find confession painful, inconvenient, and embarrassing. Even absolutely humiliating at times. But all these words also describe Jesus’ death on the cross. He paid the price for our sins and reconciled us to the Father. Therefore, Pastor Stanley concludes:
“Let’s face it; in the shadow of the cross all our excuses, all our griping, all our rationalization amount to nothing. We really have no excuse. His death was for our good and his commands regarding confession and reconciliation are for our good as well.”
Today’s question: At this time, does your heart contain buried splinters that you work hard to conceal? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “We just aren’t getting our way”
