Say what you need to say

In any relationship, closeness depends on honesty.

Our relationship with God is no different. Our closeness with God needs our honesty with God.

For years, I would pray to God what I thought he wanted to hear. I would give him the sanitised version of my heart - so that I wouldn't disappoint Him. I would pray what I thought He wanted to hear from me.

I wouldn't share my disappointments lest I show a lack of faith. I wouldn't share my temptations lest I show weakness. I wouldn't show my frustrations, lest I show a lack of patience.

The problem was, I wasn't showing me. I was showing the glossy version of me.

In the old testament, a good example of honest praying is David. He gave the true version of his heart. He would say things like, "why is my soul downcast?", that means, "why am I feeling depressed?" Even Jesus said, "God, why have you forsaken me??"

God is real and ready to meet us where we are at. But are we ready to tell God where we are really at? He can handle that. Are we ready to admit our failings to God? Are we ready to openly discuss our dreams and aspirations? Are we ready to admit our vulnerabilities to God?

Whatever we don't discuss with God, we are probably trying to deal with on our own. however, when we do confess or discuss these real issues with God, we can ask for His help, and His Spirit gives us power where we are weak, His spirit equips us where we lack, His spirit opens doors that were once closed.

But you gotta say what you need to say. It's so tempting to think, "how could God love me the way that I really am?" But don't fear God's view of you, or any judgment, because there is no condemnation through Christ Jesus - only love. Say what you need to say, but let God's answer transform your thinking and your life.

John Mayer has inspired this blog by his song, "Say"

The lyrics are below - have a look at the music below on youtube:

Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations

Say what you need to say [x8]

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .

Say what you need to say [x8]

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say [x24]