I remember walking into a shopping mall for the very first time and was overtaken by the size of the mall and the variety of shops that lay before me. I remember feeling very lost and very alone. This feeling was alleviated somewhat when I saw the blessed directory. Like all good directories, this directory helped give me bearings in regards to where I was and showed me exactly where I needed to go. It helped me to roughly figure out how far and how long it would take to go from A to B. Although I felt some relief, the truth was that I remember feeling a greater sense of loneliness when I observed other people passing by with no worries. It seemed that everybody knew where they were and where they were going. But, the greatest sense of relief came when other people came to look at the directory. How relieved I felt when I saw that other people understood the dilemma I was in.

So often, many Christians find themselves in the shopping mall of life, struggling to find the answers for life in general or some sin that wish to overcome. Yet, like the illustration, they find themselves lost (no direction) and alone (no help). Though many find comfort in the directions of scripture many still feel that there is no one else who understands the frustrations that one faces alone. In many ways this was me. It was one thing to struggle with my sin but quite another to feel that I was struggling alone. I suppose people have fears about being honest about their struggles. James 5:16 reads “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed…”

Through confession we find steps to healing and wholeness from our sins. People often find it hard to confess as they may feel that they will be judged or looked upon differently. While we should take care to tell the right people about certain struggles, the truth remains that in the action of confession we will find healing. From my personal experience, confessing my struggles before others helped lift a burden of keeping things to myself. Confession helped me see the warmth and love from others, and helped me understand even more the forgiveness and acceptance I have in Christ.

It is one thing to confess and find healing and it is another thing to find that you don’t struggle alone. It doesn’t matter what we as Christians struggle with, you can be sure that there is someone else that struggles similarly to you. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” 1 Corinthians 10:13a. If you have the flesh you can be tempted. Your struggle may look different and have its own idiosyncrasies, but the same flesh that drives the struggle requires the same truths of God to bring about repentance. On top of this, we have a great Hight Priest who is touched by our infirmities and it is to Him we ought to run to.

Praise God that we don’t struggle alone.

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About Apo Malo

Apo is an active part of the ministries of his church where his heart for people is clearly evident. Apo has a degree in theology and is also an accomplished musician maintaining a part time teaching studio. Apo works as a carer for Anglicare and lives in Sydney, Australia.

2 Comments

  1. Robert Apps 13 January, 2009 at 9:25 am - Reply

    Hi Apo, good post. It is a tragedy that in so many churches people are not able to open up to other believers. I really think we would cut our burdens in half if we could open up more to Christian friends.

    Trust this will be a year when we can all help each other grow in grace by bearing each others burdens.

  2. Kez 13 January, 2009 at 11:51 pm - Reply

    Thanks Apo – Great post!!! Keep it up! =D

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