When the Hidden Shadows Speak

When the Hidden Shadow Speaks
Devotion by Pastor A L Redd
February 4, 2026

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

We all learn to look like we have it together. School expects it, work demands it, and even the church can encourage it. We put on a smile, say the right things, and try to seem steady, even while we hide a private world inside. The truth is, everyone has a darker side. It is not just a weakness, but a place that’s been hurt, a desire that’s gone wrong, a painful memory, or a hidden urge. Sometimes we’ve carried it since childhood, shaped by pain and survival, and we keep it locked away because talking about it feels too raw. We know it’s there, but we stay silent, not just to protect our image, but because it hurts.

But what we keep hidden doesn’t stay quiet. When our hearts carry pain that hasn’t healed, it starts to show up in our lives. It can come out in ways that surprise us, like being impatient for no reason, getting angrier than the situation calls for, trying too hard to stay in control, falling into secret habits, becoming distant, or saying things we regret. When that hidden part takes over, we might not even notice we’re losing control. The Bible warns us: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Our hearts aren’t just where we feel; they’re where everything starts. What we bury inside will eventually come out.

There was a man who bought a beautiful house and kept his living room spotless. He lit candles, welcomed guests, and made sure everything looked perfect. But a bad smell wouldn’t go away. He blamed the weather, the carpet, or the neighbors, anything but what he feared. One day, an older friend visited and said, “The smell is not in your living room. It is coming from underneath.” They checked the basement and found a small leak that had been there for years. It wasn’t loud or obvious, but it had caused mold to grow in the dark, and the air upstairs suffered as a result. The lesson is clear: what we ignore in hidden places will eventually affect what everyone sees.

It is where the gospel becomes more than just a belief; it becomes a way to find freedom. Being saved through faith in Christ isn’t only about going to heaven someday; it’s about letting God into the hidden places of our lives right now. The cross shows us that sin is real and can’t be fixed by good behavior or pretending. But it also shows us that God’s mercy is deeper than our darkest struggles. Jesus didn’t die so we could hide better. He died to forgive us completely and make us truly clean. We are saved by grace through faith, not by self-control or by acting like we’re okay. When we trust Christ, we can bring our hidden struggles into the open, where they can be healed and changed, because the One who saves us isn’t surprised by what we’ve carried, and He has the power to deal with it.

So, as we finish, take a moment to reflect honestly. Maybe the tiredness you feel isn’t just from life’s pressures, but from trying so hard to keep your struggles hidden. Maybe what’s hidden isn’t gone, just quiet, waiting for stress to bring it out. Today, you’re not being asked to feel ashamed, but to step into the light with Jesus. The real danger isn’t having shadows, but ignoring them and not giving them to Christ. Bring what’s hidden to Him, because when Jesus sets you free, you are truly free. Freedom isn’t pretending you have no darkness; it’s knowing that through faith in Christ, darkness doesn’t have the last word.