Continuous Breakthrough: CONFESS
The Second Step of Continuous Breakthrough: Confess!
“When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.” - Psalm 32:3-4 NLT
Confession is paramount to the follower of Jesus. Confession of sin, confession of Faith, confession of struggles, confession of doubts, confession of hurt… there are so many things to confess. Confession is central to our lives and relationships; with self, with others, and with God. Real relationships thrive when confession is practiced, both individually and corporately.
However, it can be difficult to confess our struggles. Confession will thrive in healthy environments, which begs the question: How can we cultivate a healthy community culture that provides a safe place for confession? It’s also important to note that we are not called to be vulnerable and transparent with just anyone. Which then begs another question: “who am I to share my struggles with and have I become a safe person for a friend to confide in?” Public space (50+ people) is not the primary space for vulnerability (unless you are healed and ready and sharing a story of transformation); Social Space (20 - 50 people) is also not the transparent space; Personal space (6 - 12 people) may not be the appropriate space either. So what’s left? Your spouse, your best friend(s), your closest friends who’ve proven to be safe.
Do you have a small group of people (1 - 3) who have proven to be safe? Filled with love, truth, grace, and trust? If not, start with God and confess to Him and be patiently intentional about finding and cultivating close and intimate relationships.
The Second C of Continuous Breakthrough: CONFESS
QUESTIONS - As we begin, here are a few questions to ask yourself when starting with the second C:
Where am I struggling?
What sins need to be confessed?
Where am I doubting?
What am I holding onto that needs to be released?
Whom do I need to forgive that has confessed to me?
Moving onto confess from celebrate will bring freedom, forgiveness, restoration, intimacy, and trust. Relationships will begin to deepen. And like the psalmist says in Psalm 32:5 “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Guilt and shame will disappear and your energy and life will be restored.
PRACTICE - A tool and practice to adopt:
Regularly confess your sins to the Lord verbally.
Immanuel Journaling: Write a dialogue between you and God. Write to Him of your struggles then listen to what He might be saying to you; write that down. Remember, God’s kindness is what leads us to repentance. He loves you. He is good. He is patient and kind. He is forgiving and full of grace and mercy.
Click here for an Immanuel Journaling worksheet from LifeModelWorks.org
Click here for an Immanuel Journaling worksheet from soulshepherding.org
Click here for the book “Joyful Journey” by E. James Wilder
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 32:3-5 “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” (NLT)
As we confess daily, we have a new opportunity to rewire our brains toward honesty, humility, and freedom. Joy will be more evident as we look to God and experience Him in His kingdom. It can be hard to humble ourselves, be vulnerable, and ask for forgiveness… I think that makes this practice all the more significant.
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Cheers to a Healthier Week! - JASON
