We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Kelly Bryant.
Bible Reading:
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.“
Word:
As a CrossFit coach, sometimes it seems like there are two types of athletes. There are the ones who will approach the coach to ask for help with skills or scaling options and the type who will quietly hide out in the back of the room because they don’t want anyone know they struggle with a movement. Which type of person do you think gets better faster- the one who acknowledges what they need to work on and seeks help or the one who hides their weaknesses at all costs? Being ashamed of a weakness will never make it better. As a coach, I’m there looking for opportunities to step in and help, but the athlete chooses whether to put effort into hiding the weakness or seeking to get better.
If you can see the logic in this example, how much more does this concept apply to our Heavenly Father? He knit you together in your mother’s womb and developed a plan and purpose for your life before you were even born. He’s not waiting to bust you on your hidden sins or shortcomings. He’s waiting for you to talk to Him about where you struggle so that He can give you the gift of His mercy and grace. He wants to see you prosper and thrive. He’s waiting for you to allow Him to help you overcome the sins and temptations that are holding you back from the fullness He wants you to experience.
In addition to confessing our sins and weaknesses to God, God gave us the gift of community. When we confess to fellow believers that we’re struggling in an area of life, we create an opportunity for accountability and open ourselves up to doing life together instead on our own. While it can be scary to open up to others, the benefits of being fully known and loved within a community of brothers and sisters far outweighs the risk of admitting a weakness.
Confession brings freedom from the bondage of shame and pride. It’s only when we release our weaknesses to our Father that He can begin the work of transforming our weaknesses through His strength.
Prayer:
Father, I’m not hiding this weakness anymore. My attempts to fix it on my own have brought failure, shame, and frustration. It’s too great of a burden for me to bear alone. I am confessing my sin to you and trusting you to transform me. Allow me to feel the freedom of being fully known and fully loved by you as I submit to your correction, your mercy, and your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Skillwork:
If you’re not already connected to a community of believers, ask God to show you where in your life you can form those connections. Maybe it’s attending a Faith RXD event, joining a local church, or beginning a friendship with someone else who believes in Christ. God designed us for community. Start building relationships that provide a safe space for confession, encouragement, truth, and grace.
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