IT'S NO SECRET...REALLY!

I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. – Isaiah 45:3

Back in the 1950s, comedy writer Alan Sherman created a spin-off game show from his popular predecessor, “What’s My Line.” Instead of a group of celebrity panelists trying to guess which of the three contestants matched the occupation in question, the panelists asked the contestants embarrassing questions to determine which one would own up to their little “secret.” Given the context at the time, washing whites and colors in one load or collecting unusual bric-a-brac are definitely tame secrets today. With all kidding aside, what secrets do we withhold from others or from God?
 
Would you be surprised if I told you the “what” part of a secret is obvious?  Inner sensibilities engage with outer contradictions. The two conceive and conflict an action of which the decision to conceal rather than reveal is birthed. Thus, secrets grow from the adages, “out of sight out of mind” and “no news is good news.” Simply put, we do something we regret later. We hide it from others and live silently with the consequences of our actions.
 
Once our secret goes into hiding, shame and torment greet it at the door. They make sure our secret is securely detained before depriving us of ever believing beyond what is possible. They lock away what they’ve now labeled, “the terrible secret” in a darkened place bombarding us with an exhaustive list of worst-case scenarios. “What if this happens?” or “What if that gets out?” or “What if they find out?” Is it any wonder we don’t reveal being date raped, having an abortion or two (or more), ever being involved in an occult, once struggling with bulimia or an eating disorder, surviving an affair of our own making, engaging in a same-sex relationship years ago,  surviving molestation by a relative or being forced into sex trafficking or prostitution?
 
Well, I had a secret. For four years of my childhood, I was sexually molested by my pastor. The ramifications caused a great inner struggle. I knew I was a good girl, but couldn’t understand why this bad thing was happening to me. The shame and torment eventually led me to make some regretful decisions as I grew older.
 
I emphasize the word, “had” because I came to realize in God nothing is secret really. In the dark places of our conception, there were treasures formed in us by Him (Psalm 139:14-16). God’s priceless treasure in us is His Son, Christ and that treasure is “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Greater than any earthly, precious metal, this treasure never rusts, fades, tarnishes, “leaves nor forsakes” (Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5). And when shame and torment prohibit us from unearthing what is truly precious in us, Romans 8:1 provides us with the ultimate excavation tool: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” In Christ, the lies of sin cannot hold us in darkness. In Christ, the lies of shame cannot guilt us to our secret. In Christ, the lies of torment cannot doom us to eternal damnation. No matter the secret, we have God’s promised treasure.
 
So, got a secret causing you shame and torment? First, take it to Jesus. He will not condemn you. Next, take steps with Him in bringing the secret stored in you to light. Contact wise counsel to work through tough issues. Share your story with a trusted individual. Seek out an established support system that is trained in your area. Take small steps. They eventually lead to greater inroads. Remember, you are precious to God and what He has stored up in those who accept Him as Lord and Savior are priceless riches! Don’t let shame and torment tell you otherwise.