The answer is simple: ABSOLUTELY!
King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, knew very well about the power of accountability.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
I never understood until recent years how important accountability was. First of all, I didn’t want to admit I needed help. I could handle things just fine on my own. Welcome pride. I was 330 lbs. of mess, but I was handling things just fine.
Secondly, I didn’t want people to know my secrets. The moment I became accountable to someone they would know the real me, and that just couldn’t happen. Welcome shame.
And thirdly, I couldn’t let people get inside my heart to know the real me. What if they knew too much? What if they would leave? What if they would stop loving me? Welcome fear.
Can I just say I, without a doubt, I HATE fear, shame, and pride? They are not of God!
Lysa TerKeurst tells us in Made To Crave, there are three important reasons for having accountability.
- There is help to recover from failure.
- There is comfort and companionship in adverse conditions.
- There is help in defending against attacks. (Remember, “two can stand back-to-back and conquer.”)
I don’t know about you, but I know without a doubt that I must have accountability in my life. The moment I start to think I don’t, I quickly face the
reality that Satan is trying to fill my head with lies. Recently my eating was getting out of control and I was not happy with where I was heading. Food addiction has always been one of my biggest struggles, and the last place I want to be, or ever get close to again, is the 330 lb. sad soul that I once was. One of the ways I keep myself on track, is first and foremost, going to God with my problem. Then I make sure safe people in my life know of my struggles.
This last week in the midst of my struggle, I cried with a friend. I asked for prayer from three close friends I know without a doubt I can trust. Then, I started making a food log and sending it to them. They didn’t ask me to – I just did. Whether they read it or not isn’t as important to me as someone else simply knowing what’s happening. If I have someone to be accountable to, I am going to make wiser choices. And if those choices aren’t so wise I can trust those friends to call me out on it with love.
Be accountable. I promise it’s worth it. Swallow your pride. Toss the shame aside. Get rid of the fear. Be accountable.
Do you have someone in your life you can trust and be accountable to?