#WCW=We CAN Wednesday: It's still the best policy
/Heart palpitations, shaky hands, jittery nerves, churning stomach, sweaty palms, tears... and more tears... physical reactions when trying to tell the truth.
Have you ever needed to come clean about something? Something that YOU did? Something that you know will hurt someone else if they knew the truth? What did you do? Were you honest?
"Truth? You can't handle the truth!!!"
This infamous line from A Few Good Men still rings true for many of us. We often look at honesty and truth telling with the eyes of the victim, someone needs to tell us the truth about something they did to us. But what happens when WE ourselves are the victimizer and our actions have the potential to hurt and disappoint another if found out? Can you handle the fallout?
We say that honesty is the best policy, but deep down we know that our naked, bare truth can look more like an un-manned bulldozer, mowing down anything in its path. The truth can be ugly, raw, and traumatic, and many of us would rather live in denial, lies, and half-truths than face what is actual and real.
But here's the thing:
There's a reason why John 8:32 says, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." By refraining from disclosing the full truth, we lock ourselves in a self-imposed prison. When we keep secrets that need to be told, we build a wall between ourselves and other the person(s) which prevents our relationship from either achieving its full potential, or running its natural course.
Confession is good for the soul (and body). Instead of wrestling with sleepless nights of stress and conflict, telling the truth allows for communication and resolution. Even if the outcome is not what was desired, what is done is done, and everyone can move forward knowing the truth.
Life gets messy and complicated, and not every situation can be resolved in a neat package with a bow. However, at the end of it all, we should move towards peace, unsullied trust, and a clear conscience. Tell the truth; be it to yourself, your partner, or anyone who deserves that from you. Be honest. You'll be better for it, it WILL set you free.