Confession is Good for the Soul

"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  James 5:16

Once there was a little girl who quizzed her father saying, "Daddy, when you were a little boy, did you ever do something to hurt someone's feelings?"  Daddy looked at her, "Yes, baby, I did."  The little girl stopped and thought and then said, "But Daddy, did you have to say you were sorry?"  Daddy shakes his head and his daughter continues, "I told my friend I was sorry for hurting her feelings today, and guess what!  My heart felt better!"
Each one of us have committed sin, whether intentionally or not.  Many times our sins affect other people and consequences may soon follow.  As Christians, God commands us to confess our sins to others for two reasons.  First, confession allows others to see God's grace through our lives.  Second, we are healed from the weight and shame of our sins.  To any non-Christian, confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness reveals a heart changed by a merciful God.  Only the grace of God allows you as a Christian to be able to confess your sins and be cleansed.  This cleansing takes away any shame and hurt in your own heart from your sin.  So, in effect, your heart will feel better too!
Take a moment to think of the people you have wronged.  Think of the people that you need to confess your sins to and ask forgiveness from.  Pray for God to grant you courage to seek out these people and confess your sins so that your own heart may be healed!