It is not one of the measurements of health that we
often consider: We are only as healthy as the secrets we have. In determining
our own health we often consider the many good things that we do or the
spiritual disciplines that we enter into. But the truth is that our secrets are
the very thing that have the potential to do us the greatest harm – and
potentially to take us out of the game entirely. Secrets matter and they are
the very things that secretly diminish our personal health.
We don’t like to dwell on our secrets but the healthiest
thing we can do is to face and acknowledge them. Jeremiah 17 reminds us that
our hearts are deceitful and it is that deceit that keeps us from naming and
identifying to ourselves those secret places in our lives that are dangerous to
us and perhaps the source of our greatest dishealth. The most dangerous thing
is to ignore and not acknowledge to ourselves the secret places in our lives
that we know to be unhealthy. That is denial of our own realities. Ironically,
because our secrets are hidden to others we often try to live with them hidden
from ourselves by simply ignoring them.
Having identifying those secrets, it is time to push
into them in order to resolve them. Sometimes that means getting the counsel
and accountability of others. It may mean changes in our lives that minimize
the temptation to go where we know we shouldn't go. It is a deliberate strategy
to resolve our secrets in order to develop greater health. Those who do so
avoid the pain and dishealth that inevitably comes with secrets.
This is not so much about avoiding pain (although
relevant). It is in the final analysis it is our own commitment to emotional,
relational and spiritual health. Health is life giving in every way while
secrets are life robbing in every way. Jesus came to bring us health and our
cooperation with him is essential to getting there. We are only as healthy as
our secrets.
Posted from Havana, Cuba
All of T.J. Addington's books including his latest, Deep Influence, are available from the author for the lowest prices and a $2.00 per book discount on orders of ten or more.
Posted from Havana, Cuba
All of T.J. Addington's books including his latest, Deep Influence, are available from the author for the lowest prices and a $2.00 per book discount on orders of ten or more.