When we’ve done something wrong, or we’re struggling with a particular issue, it can be a great idea to talk to other people about it. But we need to discern the right people to share our struggles with. The wrong people will delight in our failings, gossip about it with others, and even spread rumours about us. In fact, by telling everyone our story, we can end up being labelled forever. It’s definitely important to share our story and our struggles with other people. When Jesus cast out demons from a man, He said: ‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you’ (Luke 8:39 NIV). But the man was told to share his story in his hometown. He wasn’t called to travel and share it with everyone he came across. We need to think carefully about our audience and our timing. It might be best to open up to trusted people in our church, rather than posting about it on social media. It might be best to open up to those closest to us, rather than sharing with everyone we meet. We also need to remember that we should be confessing our sins and struggles to God. The psalmist wrote, ‘I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.’ It might feel daunting to take all our imperfections to a perfect God, but He tells us that we can approach Him with confidence (take a look at Hebrews 4:16). He promises to forgive our sins. Psalm 103 says: ‘He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west’ (v.12 NLT). We can turn to Him with confidence that He won’t label us or hold our sins against us.

What Now?

Take some time to confess to God any sins or struggles you have in your life right now. Then thank Him for His forgiveness.