Hey there, Mama,
I remember years ago sitting in a classroom with one of my colleagues. We were both young wives, learning how to navigate our faith and marriage. Like many newly married women, we had begun sharing some of our frustrations and the adjustments that come with becoming a wife.
At one point during our conversation, she leaned over and whispered something she had been struggling with—one of those thoughts you don't really want to admit out loud. I leaned in so I could hear her better, and after she finished whispering, she quietly said,
"Because I don't want God to hear."
I smiled with compassion because, if I'm honest, I knew exactly what she meant. I laugh about that moment now because it's silly how our minds think, but in many ways, we moms still have those types of moments.
Maybe we don't whisper our words anymore, but we whisper our hearts. We avoid certain prayers. We keep certain struggles hidden. We convince ourselves that if we don't say it out loud, maybe we won't have to deal with it.
The truth is...
God already knows.
He knows every fear, every frustration, every temptation, every disappointment, every question, and every hidden struggle. And here's the beautiful part:
He isn't waiting for us to confess so He can find out. He's waiting because confession is where freedom begins. God never asks us to whisper our hearts. He invites us to bring them honestly before Him.
Devotion: Freedom Begins with Honesty
Scripture
"Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed." NKJ
— Psalm 85:10
One of the enemy's greatest tactics is convincing us that our struggles are safest when they're hidden.
Hidden behind a smile.
Hidden behind "I'm fine."
Hidden behind being the mom who appears to have it all together.
Fear often whispers:
"If people knew..."
"If I admitted that..."
"If I told God how I really felt..."
But fear was never meant to be our counselor. God already knows every corner of our hearts, yet He lovingly invites us into honesty—not because He needs information, but because we need freedom.
Psalm 85 paints such a beautiful picture: Mercy and truth meet together. Notice that truth doesn't meet condemnation. Truth meets mercy. When we honestly bring our hearts before God, we don't run into rejection. We run into grace.
James reminds us of this as well: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:16)
Healing begins where hiding ends. Sometimes our confession is between us and God during a quiet morning of prayer. Other times, healing comes through sharing our burdens with a trusted friend, mentor, or counselor who reminds us we are not alone.
Think about how much energy it takes to hide. To pretend. To carry shame. To worry someone might discover the struggle you've been carrying. That weight was never yours to hold alone. Confession doesn't make you weak. It makes room for God's mercy.
Honesty doesn't disqualify you. It positions you to receive His grace.
Mama, you don't have to whisper your struggles. You don't have to clean yourself up before bringing them to God. He already knows. And He already loves you.
When truth meets mercy, peace begins to replace shame.
And that's where freedom starts.
Take a Moment to Reflect
Take a moment to reflect:
- Is there something I've been hiding from God because I'm afraid or ashamed?
- Am I carrying a burden I was never meant to carry alone?
- Is there a trusted person God may be inviting me to share my struggle with?
Pray: Father, thank you for your mercy. Forgive me for the challenges, sins, and struggles I try to hide and handle on my own. Holy Spirit, lead me to those I need to lean on, and give me peace when I need to stand alone with God.
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Mom Tips: Trading Fear For Freedom
- Be honest with God during your prayer time. He already knows your heart, and He welcomes your honesty.
-Find one trusted, spiritually mature friend who creates a safe space for grace and accountability.
-Don't confuse perfection with holiness. God is shaping your heart, not asking you to pretend.
-When shame tells you to hide, choose to pray instead.
-Remember that healing is often a process of bringing the same struggle back to God again and again until His truth becomes louder than your fear.
Faith-Filled Affirmation For the Week
"Today I choose honesty over hiding. I am fully known and fully loved by God. His mercy meets me in my truth, His grace strengthens me, and His peace replaces my shame. Freedom begins as I bring every part of my heart into His presence."
Closing Encouragement
Mama,
You don't have to whisper your prayers.
You don't have to pretend you've got it all together.
You don't have to exhaust yourself carrying burdens God has already invited you to lay at His feet.
There is incredible freedom on the other side of honesty. Not because God suddenly learns something new about you...But because your heart finally experiences what has always been true. You are deeply loved. You are covered in His mercy, and His grace is greater than anything you've been trying to hide.
This week, I pray you'll trade fear for faith, hiding for healing, and shame for the freedom only God can give.
With love and encouragement,
Karen 🤎
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