Day 10 — No Secrets That Hurt

“Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them… But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself.”

— Ephesians 5:11, 13 (BSB)

Today we’re going to talk about something really important: secrets.

Some secrets are fun. A surprise party. A present you’re hiding for your mom’s birthday. Those are good secrets, because they’re going to be shared soon, and they make people happy. Those are called surprises.

But some secrets are different. Some secrets hurt.

Paul says we should not be part of “deeds of darkness,” things that are hidden because they’re wrong. Instead, we should “expose them,” which means bring them into the light, where they can be seen and dealt with.

Here’s what every girl needs to know:

Your body belongs to you and to God. No one should touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, confused or scared. No one should ask you to touch them in a way that feels wrong. No one should ask you to send pictures of yourself, or show you pictures that make you uncomfortable.

If anyone ever does these things, it is never your fault. Not even a little bit.

If anyone ever tells you to keep something like this a secret, that is a secret you should NOT keep. Even if they say you’ll get in trouble. Even if they say they’ll be mad or that something bad will happen. Even if it’s someone you know and like, a friend, a relative, a coach or anyone else.

Tell a trusted adult right away. A parent, a teacher, a school counselor, a pastor or another grown-up who cares about you. If the first grown-up you tell doesn’t help, keep telling until someone does.

Telling isn’t tattling, and it isn’t getting someone in trouble. It’s bringing darkness into the light, where it can be stopped. God wants you to be safe, and so do the grown-ups who love you.

Paul says, “everything exposed by the light becomes visible.” When a hurtful secret comes into the light, it loses its power. And you don’t have to carry it alone anymore.

Think about it: What’s the difference between a good surprise and a secret that hurts? Who are three grown-ups you could tell if you ever needed to?

Try this: Write down the names of three trusted grown-ups you could go to. Share your list with your mom or dad.

Dear God, thank You that You love me and want me to be safe. Help me know the difference between good surprises and secrets that hurt. If anyone ever tries to hurt me or make me keep a wrong secret, give me courage to tell a trusted grown-up right away. In Jesus’ name, Amen.