No one likes confession. I’m not talking about the confessional, which is so familiar to all who have a Catholic background. I’m talking about the process of coming before God or a trusted friend or mentor and being bravely honest about life, disappointments, and failure. It’s unnerving, embarrassing, and humbling, but it’s also powerful.

Why is it so powerful? Why does God call on us to do that? Why is it so central to faith formation and health?

The old story about the parent who’s trying to settle down a frightened daughter comes to mind. The thunderstorm is raging, and the terrified child isn’t comforted by the idea of Jesus’ presence during that storm. She cries out to her father, “Daddy, I need someone with SKIN ON!”

Something powerful happens when we are honest with someone about our struggles and failures. It unleashes an experience of grace that is unlike anything else. Some of you have had a nightmarish experience with a thing called “penance” and confession. I find no instruction about penance in the New Testament. Repentance is the turning away from sinful behavior and recognizing the gravity of our choices, but Jesus has paid all that penance might provide. Instead, Jesus calls us to forgive, “as God in Christ has forgiven you.” It’s an incredible relief when someone hears and expresses grief with us over our choices and then embraces us with grace.

I find myself in conversations with the Lord about my motives, my choices, my angst, my struggles–all of which are efforts at repentance and connecting with Him. He’s eager to hear, eager to comfort, and eager to forgive. But forgiveness doesn’t become applied when we haven’t even been honest about the problem. When I come before Him with a brokenness in my heart over my life, He provides the comfort, forgiveness, and encouragement to begin again. It’s relief!

So if you’re avoiding conversations with God. . .maybe it’s time to trust HIS character and mercy. He longs to give what you need most.