It's absolutely one of the most liberating things in the world to free ourselves of secrets. To be free of our secrets is the ultimate freedom because, well, now there's nothing to hide. There's nothing to be used against us. The truth absolutely sets us free. In fact, it even sets people free that have been keeping our secrets.

But there's another part of truth that is worth discussing, and that's the part where the truth of our story can make other people very, very uncomfortable.

When Your New Life Triggers Old Perceptions

Even when you've completely turned your life around and are far removed from the person you used to be, some people will never be able to forget who you were. Or maybe you meet someone for the first time, and when they learn about your past, it makes them uneasy. That can be an incredibly upsetting and frustrating experience.

However, this is one of those things in life we shouldn't take personally. Your truth matters. While you might be in your head thinking your story scared them away, the reality is that maybe it just triggered them. Maybe it reminded them of something they have to work on themselves, or a past relationship tied to that former life. Sometimes, it's just really hard for people to believe that change is possible.

But that should never be a reason not to do the work. It’s never a reason to stop trying to turn your life around, get sober, heal your mental health, fix bad habits, or grow into spiritual and emotional maturity. The fact that someone else may not be able to handle your transformation should never derail it.

Maybe some people just don't have the eyes to see. Maybe they're so clouded in their own hurt that they can't see the real you. And that's okay. It's part of the journey.

Escaping the Prison of Other People's Labels

I remember a famous sermon I heard years ago called "The Lies of Labels." Early in my own journey of rehabilitating my life, so many people doubted me—and to be honest, some probably still do.

I remember hearing, "Oh, you're always going to be a junkie. You're always going to be a cheater. You're always going to be a druggie." And for a time, I believed it. Whatever momentum I had would vanish. I’d think, "Yeah, you're right," and I would go right back to the drugs and the chaos.

It took me truly understanding who I really am. It took understanding how God saw me and focusing my attention on that. Yes, I'm flawed. Yes, I have things to work on. But I believe I was created for a purpose. And I don't believe in a creator that would make any of us for anything other than a very specific, special purpose that's uniquely designed for us.

Your Story is Not Just for You

Living in that purpose is a beautiful thing, but we can't do it without truth. And unfortunately, part of the journey is accepting that some people won't be able to handle it, accept it, or like it. And that's okay.

So I want to encourage you today: regardless of how hard it is to share your story because you fear rejection, know that it's part of the journey. Keep this in mind: everything you've gone through and overcome isn't just for you. You did that work to be a blessing to other people—to show them how they can heal and overcome, too.

Don't let the people who can't handle your truth scare you from living it. Your story matters. It's needed. And while not everyone can handle it, there are people out there who are dying to hear it.

Be bold, be courageous, and be authentically yourself. The world needs it more than ever.