“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

At his annual check-up, James panicked when the doctor asked him, “How often do you exercise?”

“Three times a week,” he blurted, then added, “Sometimes more if I’m feeling ambitious.”

The doctor turned to his computer. “Interesting… because your Apple Watch says otherwise.”

Turns out James had accidentally synced his health data with the clinic’s app.  Busted by the truth!  Now he walks laps every evening — not just for his health, but out of shame.

We laugh because we’ve all been there. Maybe not with a fitness tracker, but with some area of life where we tried to sound a little better than we really were. We hide the parts we’re not proud of.  We downplay our mistakes or highlight our best moments while quietly sweeping the rest under the rug.  But sooner or later, something — or someone — holds up a mirror that says, “Actually… here’s what’s real.”

The good news?  God already knows. Every slip-up, every lame excuse, and every good intention that didn’t quite make it to action — none of it surprises him.  And yet, God still loves us deeply.  His desire is not to expose us or shame us.  He wants to set us free.

Proverbs 28:13 reminds us that hiding our sins only creates a heavy burden.  But when we’re honest – when we confess and forsake our sins — we find mercy.  Not rejection.  Not shame.  Mercy.

Confession isn’t just about admitting what we’ve done wrong; it’s about letting go of the exhausting pressure to look better than we truly are. It’s saying, “Here I am, God — no filters, no excuses.” And in that place of honesty, God always meets us with grace.

So today, you may need to take a spiritual walk — not for your heart rate, but for your heart.  Bring God the real data: the missed goals, the lazy days, the hard feelings, the spiritual dry spells.  He already knows.  And He stands ready to extend mercy.

Prayer: Father, thank you for knowing the real me and still loving me.  Help me to stop pretending and start walking in truth.  Give me the courage to bring my whole self — weaknesses, excuses, and all — into your light. Thank you for meeting me there with mercy.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day