Scripture: Psalm 32:3 – “While I kept silent, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.” (NRSVue)
My daughter does this annoying thing, and I think it is at least partially my fault. I taught my children to be independent. I showed them love and still do many things for them, like turning off lights or picking up dishes, but I also expect them to be aware of their actions and how they have consequences.
My daughter, however, sometimes likes to avoid confrontation, so she does not say anything. She needs help in class, but she doesn’t say anything. She has fallen behind on her homework, but she doesn’t say anything. She forgets to do essential things in the morning, but she doesn’t say anything. Every time, the truth comes out and every time there are problems that could have been avoided if she had just said something.
I was reminded of her as I think about the important act of confession in this Lenten season. Confession is about many things, including the need to repent and to work toward restitution, reconciliation, and forgiveness,. But it starts by admitting that there is a problem. Too often we try to ignore the problems in our lives. We think they are no big deal, or they will just take care of themselves over time. And I am sure that sometimes this is the case, but not as often as we would like to think.
Psalm 32 speaks about the importance of confession. The psalmist knows that there are things about life that we cannot face alone, and that God will protect us from “the rush of mighty waters,” preserve us from trouble, and deliver us with cries of gladness. But we have to confess first. When we do not confess, it is like our bodies slowly wasting away. “While I kept silent, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.” The psalmist says that acknowledging his sin is the first step to those feelings of safety and joy. You just have to put aside your pride. He sings, “Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.”
We have a lot of problems in our lives, and the first step is admitting there is a problem. This requires more courage than we imagine, because if we acknowledge there is something wrong, that means we have to do something about it. But the silence is always worse, the avoidance always leads to bigger problems. In this season of Lent, we focus on the difficulties of being open to God. Take the time to do so. Say something to God, find the help you need to face life’s challenges, and you will find relief even when the work is hard.
Prayer: God, grant me the courage to admit my problems to you and ask for help from you and others. Amen.
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