How I confess my sins

On that particular day, my heart was heavy. I felt restless and distracted in search of my lost inner peace. Why did I feel this way? Was I in distress because my schedule was too full? I was looking for an answer while my thoughts were racing.

So I prayed and I invited God to come into all the things that were bothering me: Issues with the kids, an endless to-do list, decisions that needed to be made, etc. My heart didn’t calm down, even though I had surrendered everything to Him. I asked for insight, ‘Lord, what’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so irritated and restless?’

After a while, I opened one of the books I was reading. Jen Pollok Michel writes in Teach Us To Want, ‘…the grandest calling to be the smallest, smaller, smallest for the kingdom. Servants don’t fear their shrinking size.’

And she quoted a verse I am very familiar with:

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30

As I read those lines, I realized that I had once again taken the wrong path. The Greek word for sin ἁμαρτία primarily means to miss a target. I was not even aware of old attitudes that had found their way back into my heart. It suddenly became all about me and my mind was filled with issues that can be listed under concepts such as pride and greed.

Some of you have asked me how I confess guilt and whether I follow a special routine or not. I am convinced that God does not require a religious ritual from us. Of course, we can kneel, fold our hands, or do something similar. However, God’s first and foremost desire is a repenting heart. If we realize that we have become guilty and go to God with our mess, he’ll never reject us. On the contrary, his love for us remains unshaken. God is devoted to us, it is man who has turned away from God. 

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17

I don’t follow a specific ritual when I confess sin. When the Holy Spirit convicts me and I recognize my transgression, I immediately ask God for forgiveness. That moment of relief, when I feel the tug of grace on my heart to draw near to my heavenly Father is amazingly beautiful.

On that particular day, as on countless previous days, I asked God for forgiveness. As fully as I knew how, I threw myself into the saving arms of Jesus. Peace flooded through my heart and my joy returned. I felt light and was full of gratitude for what Jesus had done for me. Through his blood, I am forgiven. This inner peace transcends all understanding because it is so incredibly comforting. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1. John 1:9

After that, I readjusted my focus on God. I submitted everything to his will in prayer and found myself secure in Christ. 

Repentance doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about acknowledging the mistake, coming before God, and submitting everything to him again. And yes, you can do that 100 times a day. You can pray and ask for forgiveness anywhere: at home on you couch, on you way to work, while folding the laundry or during other quiet moments. Of course, you can do it together with other believers as it is even strongly encouraged. God won’t reject you if you come to him with a repentant heart. On the contrary, he is looking forward to meeting you. 

Read more:

The day I encountered God

How to find true rest

9 tips to overcome envy and jealousy

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