“Onion Therapy: When God Peels Back the Layers”

Why do onions make you cry? Apparently there is a chemical known as lachrymatory-factor synthase which is released into the air when you slice into an onion. When specific enzymes react and rearrange in the air an acid known as syn-propanethia-5-oxide enters the air space where the onion was cut and comes in contact with your eyes. Your glands which produce tears are irritated by this acid and hence the tearing of your eyes.

When I read this description of the chain of events that occur in the simple slicing of an onion, I must admit my eyes fixated on that syn part of the equation. My brain immediately translated that as sin.

Sin when it’s released in our presence has that effect on us — causes us to experience a broken heart, fractured relationships, disconnect from GOD. All which lead to tears.

If you examine a typical white, yellow brown or red onion, its appearance is of a multi-layer vegetable. It’s a pretty compacted one at that. At first touch, it may resemble a softball.

But slice into one and you will see there a several opaque layers and then eventually there is a center. It’s almost as if all the layers are the result of the core. And they just keep piling on until you have this ginormous hard vegetable that can make a grown man cry.

If there is hidden sin in our lives, GOD will sometimes peel back the layers of our exterior to get to the core — to help us see what’s beneath all the cover ups. And quite often, it’s painful and very tearful.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT

Living in a fallen world, we are not called to be perfect. But we are called by the One Who is Faithful and Perfect. And He is fully aware of weaknesses, faults, failures and secrets. That’s where relationship with Him heals all of that. As a Child of GOD, we are redeemed from all past, present and future sins. Because we have surrendered ourselves to the One Who has Provided Himself as the complete and perfect sacrifice for sin, we can claim that promise. We have the privilege of saying we can begin anew. All that is required of us is to confess to Him and He declares us ‘clean.’

Life can be ugly and some seasons are uglier than previous ones. Concealing or camouflaging the root cause of all other sins — excuses (lies) — they only add to the layers of pain. They don’t change or make anything better. They simply delay the consequences. If we had the capacity to improve our situation on our own strength, we would be perfect human beings.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26 NLT

Our Heavenly Father knows we are unable to do the impossible on our own. He is our provision for things that are beyond us just as He is the sustainer of our every breath. So His invitation to ‘come clean’ is actually the easier way to live life. There’s no need to keep blanketing over illicit behaviors, stealing unseen property, locking people out of your life — in order to not be found out or revealed.

No one likes humiliation or embarrassment. But when we look back on situations where we worked so hard to hide something about ourselves, we see how much energy that required us to maintain. And we seldom walked away with any real joy or peace.

Like that onion, weeping may endure for a time, but joy will eventually find her way home.

• Where in your life does this resonate with you?
• Write it out where you can see it (you can always shred it later).
• Who do you need to speak with to help you peel back the layers? (There are professional Christian counselors who can help you.)
• Write out a prayer asking GOD to begin to peel back the layers (He promises to be there and give you comfort and strength through the process).

Sister, speaking from experience, it is a much better place to be in when the tears have shed over a healing process that has begun. It’s those initial layers where the pain is unexpected. The deeper layers will yield their own intensity of flushing out — but GOD promises to be with you through it.

Do not yield to fear, for I am always near.
Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God.
I will infuse you with my strength
and help you in every situation.
I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 TPT

Let me wrap my arms around you and tell you GOD loves you more than you know. The situation you’re facing is small compared to the Creator of the universe. Fear is not from Him — that is a decoy to prevent you from being healed. His Word clearly says that He will strengthen you with His Strength; He will hold you firmly with His Hand. If He spoke everything into existence, I’m sure He is able to do far more than we can imagine. Your situation — He sees it all the way through to the core. And He wants you to be free.

• Will you let Him peel back the layers?

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary