Charlotte Brontë, an English novelist and poet once remarked: “The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed.” Luke 8:17 reveals: “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”
A dark secret is defined as something kept hidden or unexplained. It may conceal a divulgence of such significant pervasiveness that its exposition could harm or confer distress and shock to close friends or family. Depending on its trait, spectrum, or magnitude, it can engender a different attitude to a person or even drastically change the values of respect from another.
Revealing dark or hidden secrets needs tremendous courage and fortitude, it may incur a profound fear at the unknown possible repercussions expected from the response of another. They, in turn, may experience difficulty in understanding or the ability to forgive, especially if it could be regarded as sinful, of sexual orientation or a gender identity issue. Leviticus 20:13 reminds us: “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” However, this is a matter between God and them, not us. The principle struggle for the tenacity to profess, could be considered as a cry for help which requires enormous strength and trust to utter the difficult words of admission or revelation.
Everyone in life has probably, at one time or another, suffered from a hidden secret that appears so difficult to disclose. Guilt may enter the equation that could inflict a loss of self-worth or deprecation. However, we should always remember that we should never fear telling God of our predicament, as He is the one who is probably the most forgiving and understanding of all. His love exceeds everyone’s. We are not only the children of God, but also considered as His sheep. Often sheep will become lost during their lifetime by straying from the herd and need to be found again by the good shepherd.
Secrets, whatever they may be, may have been hidden or concealed within for many years and the inward conflict may have created severe turmoil. The need to divulge a love, passion or wrongdoing can in certain circumstances cause great anxiety or even depression. Finding the right words can also sometimes become an impossible task to formulate or the right moment may never seem appropriate. Suzy Kassem, an American writer, philosopher, and author once remarked: “We cannot control the way people interpret our ideas or thoughts, but we can control the words and tones we choose to convey them. Peace is built on understanding, and wars are built on misunderstandings. Never underestimate the power of a single word, and never recklessly throw around words. One wrong word, or misinterpreted word, can change the meaning of an entire sentence - and even start a war. And one right word, or one kind word, can grant you the heavens and open doors.” Amos 3:7 confirms: “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.”
However, the ultimate release of inward pressure from eventually exposing the secret to another can become immense. The isolation that seemed so intense and restricting becomes no more. A new life is born. Openness is forthcoming and happiness may abound. If our confession is to both God and others, that feeling may be even greater. We become like a sheep that has gone astray, but is found again. Luke 15:3-7 reminds us: So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
There is often more to know or discover about a person in life than can ever conceivably be imagined, whether they be related or just a friend. Love and compassion in understanding is critical when something is revealed that one might consider: “Out of the ordinary.” or non-conformist to tradition. It is not known why people are as they are, but genetics, biology and psychology are considered contributory factors. We need to evaluate and appreciate the difficulty and pain that might have been encountered by the personal inward need to confess such startling news to another. Everyone is entitled to live the life that they think needs to be lived, whatever that may be. The simple fact that a person has the strength to communicate their hidden secrets should be reward enough to show their love, value and regard for the recipient.
Division in respect or value in return should never occur in a true Christian’s heart by a revelation that could have been so difficult to proclaim. We should be thankful for their appreciation of us to share their dark secrets. Donna Goddard, an author who lives in rural Australia once remarked: “Courage is the starting point of everything good. To love another is to automatically feed the fire of courage. We cannot be humiliated when we are fighting for someone or something we love. We will not give up when we are fighting for loved ones. As we evolve, our loved ones extend out from our family to include all of humanity. Courage and confidence will grow over the years with practice and self-awareness. We are never alone. God will help us. Such is the courage that gains respect from others. More importantly, we gain respect for ourselves.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2 confirms: “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”
An element of freedom, to live life as one wishes, is important. However, forgiveness or understanding of a human from another is even more important under God’s laws. Just as God can forgive our trespasses, so we need to attain the ability to readily forgive the foibles of others. It is not our role to pass judgment on them, that is solely God’s privilege. 1 Peter 2:1-5 confirms: “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Amen.
