UNPACK This...Confession Leads to Growth and HealingSample

Concealing Concussions

When contemplating how to best handle the issue of player concussions, the NFL has had to acknowledge that many players go out of their way to hide the fact they’ve suffered an injury.

We know there’s a lot on the line for NFL players, so their shortsighted perspective causes them to ignore the damage that’s being done, and conceal any indication of having a concussion.

The topic blew up even more after Tom Brady’s ex-wife, Gisele Bundchen, revealed in a TV interview that Brady had suffered concussions, despite not being officially recorded.

This is a very complicated situation, as we acknowledge the dangers and “importance” of the game of football.

Although we most likely won’t have to decide whether or not to play through a concussion or admit we have one, we will face the concept of concealing and transparency.

Oftentimes, our initial response to sin is to keep our transgression in the dark. We don’t want anyone to know what we’re struggling with or concede to having a problem.

Unfortunately, like a concussion, the damage gets worse the longer we “play through it” without taking the necessary steps for healing.

Proverbs 28:13 says, “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”

Sometimes we think we are sneaky enough to fool everyone by hiding something about ourselves so well. However, we must remember God knows all, sees all, and judges all.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 says, “God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”

God knows the truth in our hearts, so we can come before Him with great honesty and receive the strength we need to confess to others.

As difficult as it is to admit our faults, let’s allow the process of revealing to bring us tremendous healing.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please give me the strength to be honest with You, myself, and others when I make mistakes. I pray I won’t just try to be tough and pretend I have it all together. Please show me how to confess my sin, so that I can experience healing. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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