subject: Honesty Sets You Free [print this page] Honesty Sets You Free Honesty Sets You Free
There are various opinions on the topic of honesty. Some believe that it's better to not burden your spouse with information he or she does not have a need to know. If you've made a major or minor mistake and vow to never do it again, the thinking goes, then you don't need to bring it up because it will only cause conflict and heartache.
Well, if you want a close relationship, you'll need to be honest with your partner. Great marriages are built upon trust. In the case of a major or minor offense, it's better to admit the issue and work on healing. This is why: secrets can burden the soul or occupy a hidden part of the heart and mind. I'd like to reassure you that most of the time, a partner can recover from the offense committed, but it's dishonesty that extracts the lifeblood out of your marriage. More marriages are ruined by dishonesty than honesty.
Another benefit of being honest is that your partner will be able to know and understand your needs and desires a little better. If you don't communicate honestly, there's a lot of guessing and assuming going on. Reveal what you know about yourself as best as you know how: your thoughts, your feelings, and your likes and dislikes. When you share what you're feeling, your partner has the opportunity to respond and relate to you in helpful, meaningful ways.
Vowing to be honest saves you the trouble of keeping track of lies. If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to come clean, do so courageously. What you want to do is start over with a clean slate and then try to keep that slate clean. Honesty will set you free.
