Hidden Briar Patches

 When the problems of life become prolonged and intense, it’s not unusual to wish for a way to escape. Life isn’t always a rose garden but includes briar patches, which prick the skin and create pain. An emotional briar patch filled with anger or hurt feelings is the source for prolonged grief and unhappiness.

The idea of secret keeping alludes to what is beyond exposure because of embarrassment, fear, or shame. Secret sins rooted in evil mean that unconfessed guilt must wait for disclosure and punishment. Yet  some secrets are enjoyed, but nothing can be kept from God no matter how deeply buried they may be.

Listen to Jeremiah 23. "Can anyone hide in a secret place so I cannot see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?" Forgiveness and cleansing are available when you place your life into God’s hands, for he is your place of safety. Entrust your complete self beneath his love and mercy where hope and security are readily available.  

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Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth.

~Hebrews 4:13 Contemporary English Version

 

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy.

~Proverbs 28:13 Amplified Bible 

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Secret, Sinful Mindset? Seek God's Restoration

Children learn at an early age that secret keeping is a part of play. There are particular family secrets children are told to guard at all costs. It’s evident that some secrets can produce lasting negative consequences to family members. A number of secrets may be necessary for a family to keep functioning or for personal well-being.

Everyone has unacceptable secret thoughts that are kept active because they’re enjoyed. It's analogous to having an argument with another person, only in your thoughts. Negative self-talk may be created by anger or bitterness but restrained from being verbalized.

Psalm 90:8 is clear: It’s impossible to hide your thoughts from God. As creator, he knows your thoughts can be harmful emotionally even when there are no social consequences. Secret sinful thoughts can become a hope-crusher when permitted to remain unconfessed and unforgiven. So seek God while he may be found, and permit him to restore your soul and heal your infirmities.

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You have set our sins in front of you. You have set our secret sins in the light of your presence.

~Psalm 90:8 God’s Word Translation

Seek God while he’s to be found, pray to him while he’s close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God who is lavish with forgiveness.  

~Isaiah 55:6-7 The Message

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.