Inventory, it is a harmless word but in some it strikes fear. Why is that? I think it is because we don't grasp the concept well. It seems like all it is is dragging up our past. That is true it is dragging up our past but with a positive reason. We don't drag it up to feel guilty and depressed about all the bad things we have done. No, the real reason is to rid our selves of the guilt and pain.

When we do our inventory we must also remember the good. All of us have good in our past. Sometimes there are good results that come from the bad that happened and sometimes it good things that we did for others or for ourselves. Our past mess then gets to be God's message. When we review our lives with God's help we see the good even in the mess. Then we get to share that with another human being. Wow, there is something scary there. Someone is going to know everything about you. Of course my first thought was they will not like me when they know all my bad. The other thing is what if they share that with someone else. So, we begin to let fear rule. Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." When we go to Jesus and unload all our pain suddenly the load becomes lighter. But then James 5:16 tells to "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." So, when we confess to someone we receive healing. Notice that it is a command with a promise confession leads to healing. Then the last of the scripture says the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. I see something in that when we confess our sins it includes that we pray for each other then the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Because of confession we become righteous and our prayers are more effective. (In the words of David.)

Why then be fearful? Because our enemy the devil breeds fear to keep us from healing. We all have fears but we need to not let them rule us. Easy to say but hard to do. I still struggle almost daily with the fear of "what if someone does not like me?" "What if I don't do it their way and they decide not to be around me anymore?" This fear has been with me a long time but each day God helps me tackle it. I know the truth and it is that no matter what God has already accepted me and loves me and nothing or no one can change that (Romans 8:35-39). Therefore what does it matter if someone does not like me or want to be around me? The truth no matter what I do some people just will not like me. Having said all that you can see how I might have a problem sharing my inventory or for that matter doing my testimony but I have. And you know what I had a great burden lifted from my shoulders when I did because Jesus picked up the yoke with me and has given me rest. Besides that what can anyone say or do to me that would cause me to lose the love of my Father - absolutely nothing.

So, don't let that word inventory scare you with God, your sponsor and accountability team you can do it. We were never meant to walk this road alone.

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