Letting It Go

 42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

 43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.

Doctrine & Covenants 58:42-43

Are you one of those people that when you’re totally sick, you will still avoid vomiting at all costs? Some of my children are like that.  No matter how awful they feel, they will avoid throwing up; and if they do vomit, they will try to let out as little as possible.  But slowly they are learning that after throwing up, and getting it ALL out, they start to feel a lot better.

When serving as a bishop, I have seen that it is the same with people coming to confess sins. They have already done the hardest part by coming to my office, but then they are seriously tempted to only partially confess what they did wrong, or not totally own up to it. So I have used this analogy and invited them to just get it all out, and reassured them how much better they will feel afterwards.

It doesn't matter if it is the type of sin you confess to the Lord, a bishop, or the type of sins we confess to those we hurt; confession brings relief. All sin brings us down and makes us depressed, angry, lonely, and spiritually sick. Don’t try to learn to live with it like so many do. Foolishly, some try to deal with the long term misery in order to avoid the short term pain of confession. The short term pain is worth the long term enjoyment of finally being free from the mistake.  

Today’s Recharge: Whether needing to confess to the Lord, a bishop, spouse, or just someone you have hurt, you are going to feel much better once you have gotten it out and owned up to your behavior. Is there some sin in your life you have not confessed to the person you need to? Like the song says, “Let it go” by confessing and rediscover the freedom from sin that the Lord gives us.