The truth lay buried in me for so long, I sometimes doubted it myself when it dared to rise up uninvited, desperate to be heard.
Following what I’d been taught, I shoved it down repeatedly until the day I no longer could.
Truth alone will endure, all the rest will be swept away before the tide of time. I must continue to bear testimony to truth even if I am forsaken by all. Mine may today be a voice in the wilderness, but it will be heard when all other voices are silenced, if it is the voice of Truth. ~Ghandi~
We can ignore it, dismiss it, argue it, or run from it. But, eventually, truth will have its say.
When I finally chose to speak my truth, it was because I could no longer live the lie. It was killing me inside and I felt crazy. I had to be honest with myself in order to save myself. But in doing so, I broke the rules of silence and angered some.
There have been painful consequences from me telling the truth. But the rewards of healthier relationships with my immediate family, friends, and work far outweigh them. I am no longer captive to lies, and instead have the freedom and security to be myself. Though I still have broken relationships within my family of origin, my mom and I reconciled last year after a long estrangement. She was finally able to hear and believe, because I had let go and let truth do its own work.
Though there has been pain, too, truth has freed me and breathed new life into my soul.
How about you? How has speaking truth changed you? What are things you’ve spoken truth about?
Nov 24, 2013 @ 12:32:21
Inspiring words. Love the lion quote. Thank you for speaking your truth and paving the wsy for others to follow.
Much love to you –
Laurie
LikeLike
Nov 24, 2013 @ 15:54:20
Thanks, Laurie.
It’s nice to have like-minded people like you in my life!
LikeLike
Nov 24, 2013 @ 16:33:30
I feel the same 🙂
LikeLike
Nov 20, 2013 @ 05:22:33
Hi Denise…I almost missed this lovely post as I have been travelling a lot and in a different time zone but I have many experiences to share about truth.
Like you have said, so righty, truth leads us to painful consequences, I have faced many, many, many such situations and faced great setbacks. Many times liars have stabbed me in my back, relationships with my extended family have soured but all that couldn’t deter me from the path of truth, which I willingly followed. I hate lies but I have seen people thriving on the basis of lies. I have forgotten that and forgiven all of them who lied or continue to lie for their personal gains.
If somebody lies, we come to know about it sooner or later. Truth is very powerful, nobody can brush it under the carpet for a long time, it triumphs in the end!
LikeLike
Nov 20, 2013 @ 07:24:09
Your words have touched me deeply, Balroop. I’m sorry for the pain you have experienced. Your comments tell so much between the lines. I can relate very well to all you said. One of my abusers has thrived on the basis of many lies, and I sometimes still struggle with resentment. My forgiveness comes in layers, and all I can do is keep moving forward despite the unfairness of it all.
Thank you for sharing in such beautiful depth.
LikeLike
Nov 16, 2013 @ 18:58:12
You are very brave, Denise. Your testimony continues to encourage me to tell my truth, as incomplete and painful as it is sometimes.
God bless you and empower you to reach others, so they can be free from the lies that keep them sick.
LikeLike
Nov 17, 2013 @ 09:55:15
Hi Lori, thanks for your thoughtful comments. I think all of us have some level of incomplete truth…depending on how safe we feel with others and how much we are ready to remember ourselves.
I am blessed to know sharing my truth helps others find freedom in theirs.
LikeLike
Nov 15, 2013 @ 03:00:39
This is awesome Denise. It’s so true that people living lies are threatened by the truth. I’m inspired by your confidence, and the way you’ve held your ground. I find it’s only God that gives me the boldness to speak the truth with authenticity. So glad you and your mom are talking again.
LikeLike
Nov 15, 2013 @ 07:24:45
Thanks, Ali. I fully agree that it’s only God who gives me strength and boldness to speak the truth, too. Sometimes it’s hard to trust Him through the fear, but He has never failed me yet.
Your words of encouragement touch me. Thank you.
LikeLike
Nov 13, 2013 @ 04:05:25
The truth hurts! 🙂 I think it is hard for families to overcome years of secrets and lies and find the courage to admit they were wrong. The only way past the anger and sadness is supreme honesty, especially with ourselves.
LikeLike
Nov 13, 2013 @ 08:09:41
Yes, it surely does hurt sometimes, Kate! 😉
I like your comment about being honest with ourselves. It took me many years to really get that piece of it. I was always busy trying to make everyone else know the truth, when it was me who was running from it!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I always enjoy hearing from you.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 20:30:00
Speaking the truth and continuing to speak it, gives me energy. Lies suck the life right out of you. And it sounds like John 8:32 came true for you when you spoke your truth, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Love you my friend!
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 20:33:06
Thanks, Laura! Yes, that verse did come to mind. God continues to grace me with layer after layer of freedom. xoxo
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 13:32:13
it is extremely empowering to be able to tell the truth. Not so much to people around you but yourself. Once you take that step towards being authentic, things just change, people change, and suddenly you realize how heavy that burden was.
Even breathing seems so much easier…
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 20:09:24
What a insightful comment, Dace, about telling yourself the truth. That is where it all begins, just as you say.
Your wisdom shines through, thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 12:41:29
WONDERFUL powerful post, Denise. This is great, and could be just that push to brave someone into correcting the lean of their own ship which better be sailing. Love it, Denise.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 20:08:28
When we’re nearly ready, a nudge is all it really takes. Glad you found this helpful, Noeleen. Thanks for letting me know.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 08:15:58
Congrats on having the courage to speak and live your truth Denise. I have a couple situations that I might need to revisit. Sometimes it’s tricky to decide what’s important to speak and what isn’t. Thanks.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 08:18:30
Good points, Brad. That’s something I had to discuss ad nauseum in therapy because I wanted to swing from never speaking up to always speaking up. It bit me several times.
Discernment is important, and you are wise to consider carefully before you speak out.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 09:14:52
Thanks Denise!
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 04:41:23
So very true Denise and well said!! I love the lion picture, it’s a perfect image of who you are.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 07:38:12
Thanks, Arlene.
(if you were to believe the astrological signs, I am a Leo which is a lion, how’s that? 😉 )
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 07:41:12
Perfect!
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 04:12:58
A wonderful post, Denise. Yes, I’ve had a few “moments of truth.” A toxic family member, an underserving “friend” – both I had to rid myself of. Certain people, when they bring me down, I exise them. May seem mean-spirited, but I realize that I deserve better. I still hope they find happiness and comfort and truth.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 07:37:17
Removing toxic people from our lives is sometimes the only way to be healthy ourselves. When I did the same thing, I felt mean and guilty, too. But I would still be swimming in the toxins if I hadn’t done it. Thanks for sharing, Karen.
LikeLike
Nov 09, 2013 @ 23:21:29
Good question. Being honest hasn’t been a big problem for me, rather the opposite, foot in mouth disease. I’m not always comfortable sharing my inner stuff but doubt it’s from fear of telling the truth rather just not having a trusting clarity or understanding of the potential consequences and realizing that once I put it out there you can never take it back.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 07:31:51
Discernment is a big part of truth telling. Good point, Paulette!
Sometimes it’s a matter of who is safe to tell, I think. Those that refuse to listen will use our truth to hurt us.
LikeLike
Nov 11, 2013 @ 07:40:20
Agree. And, misguided trust is a killer. I’ve learned too many hard, sad lessons but luckily I am learning and changing boundaries. Really appreciated this one.
LikeLike
Nov 09, 2013 @ 23:17:38
Speaking the truth about the person I really am has lifted a weight off my shoulders and set me free. Love Jenna
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 07:29:13
That is music to my ears, Jenna! 😉
LikeLike
Nov 09, 2013 @ 21:21:40
I’ve never heard of lies setting anyone free – not even me.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 07:28:50
They are like a noose about the neck, tightening over time.
LikeLike
Nov 09, 2013 @ 20:47:54
One of my favorite lines from Shakespeare is “This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” I am glad that your refusal to buy the lies has ultimately set you free, despite the costs. I’ve found that people often are uncomfortable with truth, particularly when it’s unpleasant or ugly. I can sometimes sense that people want me to gloss over or minimize the challenges of our son’s disabilities, but I’ve never been able to do that. Love the quote from St. Augustine and the lion picture. Perfect!
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 07:28:21
“…gloss over or minimize…” that’s it exactly Julia! I think the more uncomfortable people are with their own truth, the more they want to gloss over ours. Well said.
LikeLike
Nov 09, 2013 @ 20:24:29
Lies (even the silent ones we let others believe) twist you up so tight inside it’s hard to breathe and feel normal. Truth can hurt initially, but it’s kind of like the heimlich maneuver in cases like yours–get the lies out so you can truly live again.
LikeLike
Nov 10, 2013 @ 07:27:10
That’s a good analogy, Char, the heimlich maneuver!
Truth often does hurt initially, but the pain long-term from lies is a thousand times worse.
Thanks for sharing your valuable insights here.
LikeLike