Sharing is Healing

In my family we were taught at a young age to keep some things private. There were times we’d be driving somewhere with dad growling at us kids. Then, when he pulled into the parking spot he’d command us, Okay now, everybody put a smile on your face and look happy. Don’t get me wrong, I am not advising we air out our dirty laundry, especially on social media. However, there is a certain benefit from knowing others struggle with and share the tough feelings we all, at times, experience.

Once when I was telling a friend about sharing my story with another, my well meaning friend advised me to keep my mouth shut. She warned me not everybody is trustworthy, and some people just look for juicy information to share with others. Right away I agreed with her. I thanked her for her loving advice. Later the Lord spoke to me.

Do you trust me to protect you?

I believe the Lord reminded me of a verse in Ecclesiastes 4:12, that says, Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. With his word, my Father was teaching me how important it is to encourage and help each other, not only physically, but spiritually. I believe my God was telling me sharing my story would bring healing to other women, and I needed to trust him to protect my reputation. This is confirmed in Hebrews 3:13, where my Father’s word says, But encourage one another daily…so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

In the book of Mark 4:21-22, it is written, For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. Now I am fully aware Jesus was referring to the meaning of his parables with this comment. However, God’s word mentions several times that all things will be revealed at the Judgement when we stand before him. So am I really accomplishing anything by keeping what I’ve experienced and learned to myself? Do I really think I’m hiding anything?

So I share. I share bits of my dad dying of cancer when I was seventeen. I share my story of sexual abuse. I share that I’ve had suicidal thoughts (I am so thankful I’m alive today!). I share I’ve lost a loved one to suicide. I share two divorces. I share in the hopes that someone alone, discouraged, and confused will maybe read what I’ve shared and no longer feel alone, discouraged, and confused. I share what God has done in my life so someone can believe God can love them the same way, which he does. The Bible says to love your neighbor as yourself. I share to show my love for you because somebody loved me enough to share, and the Lord has, in fact protected me from ridicule, rejection, and rumors. He is trustworthy so I share!