” No one can know about this or I will be ruined.”
Does anybody else struggle to watch TV shows where a character lies and then spends the whole season trying to keep up the lie?
I sit there watching the pain they are going through, the stress they feel, or even the pain they are causing and I think, “Just tell the truth already!”
Yes, if that happened most TV shows would not exist. Keeping secrets makes great TV but creates a terrible life.
Even though I sit and judge the TV character for hiding the truth, I do it as well in my life. Well, I used to…ok maybe just not as often.
I am a part of an online men’s accountability group. What that means is that once a week we meet via Zoom to share our struggles specifically those related to sexual addictions and lust.
I still remember my first meeting. I was so nervous, mainly because I knew I might have to share my secrets. When the time came for me to share, I did. And you know what happened? Nothing. I wasn’t mocked or shamed.
Instead, my leader gave me insight on how to find victory, the group encouraged me, and then we prayed.
For the first time in my life, I began to understand grace. Nobody was shocked at my behavior because everyone could relate. Instead, they offered hope—hope that this wouldn’t ruin my life and that I could find freedom for a new way forward.