Honesty is Still the Best Policy

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (New International Version)

When it comes to prayer, God requires the truth, desires the truth, and can handle the truth. I recall times when I would dance all around an issue without really admitting the bottom line to God. That’s not calling on Him in truth. Being evasive will do little for my prayer life. Being honest, open, and sincere will do much! Prayer is not only a dialogue whereby I talk to God and He talks to me, but it must be a truthful dialogue. It must entail the truth about my heart, my motives, my concerns, my attitudes, and my actions. God already knows every fiber of my being and He is passionate about me seeing what He already knows.

Recently I have been struck by my need to come clean with God about what is really going on inside my heart and head. The attitudes of my heart are an open book to Him and He listens as I read the pages to Him. What is written on those pages varies. It may be jealousy, worry, frustration, wrong perceptions, insecurity, non-forgiveness, pride, or any number of things that He wants me to readily admit to Him. It will do no good to point the finger at others. When it comes to Him and me, my heart is the subject at hand. Honest confession is the starting point and forgiveness and freedom are the results.

How does this play out on a practical level? Someone may rub me the wrong way yet I must be honest about my lack of unconditional love for them. Someone’s actions may leave me feeling left out yet I must be honest about my need for attention. Someone may show favor toward another yet I must be honest about my heart of jealousy. I may be wanting to talk to people when I am struggling yet I must be honest with my tendency to look to them rather than God. Those are my starting points with Him. Not only do I experience freedom and His forgiveness as I speak the truth but I come to a fresh realization of His unchanging love for me. The truth of the matter is that He loves me at my best and He loves me at my worst. Nothing I do or don’t do will change that fact!

Call on Him? Absolutely! Keep it honest. Keep it open. Keep it sincere. When it comes to my prayer life, honesty is definitely the best policy!

Father, being honest with You and myself has revolutionized my conversations with You. Amen.

You Rescued Me - Geoff Bulluck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FMFDU89-PA&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.