By Lisa Wilmore
Recently, I was reading an article in reference to prayer and noted nine ways to pray without ceasing. The writer of the article gives a litany of suggested actions to enhance an individual’s prayer life. One particular noted action captured my attention immediately, which is, “When you mess up, admit it.” Wow!
Many times, we do things that are not pleasing to God, yet rather than humbling ourselves and admitting that we messed up, we fabricate to ourselves and hide behind it as if we have not done anything wrong. What is your response when you mess up? Do you find excuses for your actions or even find someone in which to appeal your guilt-who then justifies your actions?
Particularly, in some cases, we pray and ask God for blessings, wealth and health but do not admit to our “mess-ups”. It is easy to go to God with our needs while neglecting to admit to our mistreatment of others, unholy conversations, or any other sins that warrant a confession to God and/or the individual.
Admitting our “mess ups”, first to God, our fellow brothers and sisters when we have wronged them, is the Christian thing to do. People have journeyed through many years of their lives with unadmitted wrong doings and failed to realize that admitting their “mess-ups” should be a part of their prayers while forgiving self and others. Frankly, all of us will mess up at some point of our lives. In fact, daily “mess ups” are popular among all who breathe the breath of life. God’s Word reminds us, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). After coming short, do you admit that you messed up?
I recall past experiences with both of my daughters cutting their hair when they were younger. When I noticed that one ponytail was shorter than the other one, I asked them, “Did you cut your hair?” (of course, I already knew the answer). They both admitted there “mess up” with large tears in their eyes. Obviously, I may have reacted in a manner that was not as pleasant as I should; however, I was proud that that they admitted to cutting their hair. In like manner, when we admit to God that we messed up, He may be disappointed, but like any parent, proud when one admits that they have made a mistake even though He is an all-knowing God.
“When you mess up, admit it! When you tell the truth and admit to your mistake, it frees you from the feeling of guilt and shame knowing that our heavenly Father loves and forgives us, anyway.
