The other night my young daughter came to get in the bed with me and when I asked her why her answer made me have to hide a smile. She said, “I didn’t want you to have to be alone.” Now I knew that wasn’t her real reason for coming into my room and before I could say anything, she actually confessed the real reason she had come to get in the bed with me. She had gotten scared. Of course, I let her stay and hugged her close as we talked for a few minutes before she drifted off to sleep. When she had dozed off, I thought about her first excuse for coming into my room and how she had tried to make it seem like she had come to help me out rather than needing me to comfort her.
I marveled at how even at her young age she found it easier to try to hide the way she was really feeling and what she was really needing. I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly done my share of trying to hide what I was really feeling! Why are we so afraid to be honest about how we really feel or what we are really going through? We find it so easy to pretend and try to hide rather be honest. I’ll admit I have struggled greatly in this area. I grew up being abused and hiding my feelings and what I was going through became a way of life for me. It was a hard habit to break. In fact, it is something I am still working hard to overcome. I have made progress though.
I have learned the freedom that comes from saying, “I’m not okay. I’m scared. I need help.” John 8:32 says, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” I love that Bible verse because like all other Bible verses it is so true and so relevant. The truth is what sets us free. If you have read very much of my writing you have heard me talk about this topic before, but I share it again because it is so important. The truth is your ticket to freedom! If you want to be free, then you will have to speak truth. Whatever it is speak it, seek the freedom you need. Satan’s power, his hold on you is the lies, the secrecy. The truth will set you free my friend.
I’m not saying you have to tell all your deepest darkest secrets; God gives us wisdom and we need to use it! What I am saying is this. If you are not okay and you need help from someone, don’t be afraid to say it. If you are afraid and you need help, tell someone. If you are struggling and you need prayer, ask someone to pray for you. If you are so burdened you cannot bear the load anymore, ask someone to share the burden with you. People can’t help if they don’t know you need them too! God often sends people in our life to help us when we need it and it is up to us to have the courage to be honest about what we need. The truth sets us free, the truth will set you free.
If my little girl hadn’t ‘fessed up about the real reason she came in my room I wouldn’t have known to comfort her fears but because she was honest with me, I was able to comfort her. And if God hadn’t given me the courage to finally say “I’m afraid; I need help” then I don’t know where I would be today. But I can tell you from personal experience that the truth does indeed set you free! When we speak truth, it enables God to move on our behalf and send the help we need. I have seen and know that the truth sets you free in ways you never imagined. I urge you to have the courage my friend, to speak whatever truth God may be urging you to speak.
My beautiful friend, you can do it; you can be honest. You can be brave. You can be free. I know because He will help you. I’ve seen Him work and my beloved He will do the same for you. Freedom is possible. Help can be given. There is hope my friend no matter what you may be struggling with today. And it all starts with being honest. Be honest with yourself, be honest with God, and then have the courage to be honest to anyone else He leads you to open up to. Let’s stop hiding from the truth. It is the truth that sets us free and we cannot be free if we are hiding from the truth. And freedom is such a beautiful thing my dear. Once you’ve tasted it, you never want to be bound again!
My beloved I don’t know who may be reading these words, but I want you to know that I am stopping right now to pray for you. Yes, you, I am praying right now for you. Father right now I pray for the one reading these words. I pray that You will give them the courage to choose freedom in every area of their life. I pray right now that Your Truth will set them free from every lie they have believed, every chain that has held them bound, every fear that has controlled them, and from any and every thing that has kept them from walking in the complete freedom and liberty You have given them! Father give them the courage to choose truth and to speak whatever truth You may be leading them to share or speak. Help them to understand how much You love them and how much You desire for them to be free. I release healing, freedom, peace, and victory into their lives and pray for complete surrender to You in every area of their heart and life. Work a mighty miracle in their heart and life today Father. I ask that You do what only You can do, in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ I pray. -Amen
Grace and peace,
Katrina Douglas
