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Have you ever harbored a secret that tormented you inside? I once read about a man who committed a crime decades ago and got away with it. This man moved to another state and rebuilt a successful career, married, and had children. Yet, he continued to feel convicted to confess his crime. One day, the man drove across two states and walked into the police station to confess. He knew he could face jail time, but said that the relief of confessing was better than living in shame and guilt. I find we can be the same way with God. When we hide our sin, or continue to live a double life, shame can overtake us. Shame has a way of making us feel unworthy – because we are unworthy. It sucks our joy. We may have everything on paper, but if our heart is filled with shame, life is miserable.  Satan likes us to feel ashamed because when we experience shame, we end up turning from God out of fear of judgment. But God offers something much different. 1 John 1:9 in the Bible says, “If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Who in your life needs this encouraging message today? Share it with them, won’t you? This is Luis Palau.