I Will Arise And Go...
"And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." ( Luke 15:17-20 )
When I came to myself -- realizing the depth of my depravity -- I too was compelled to humble myself, through confession of my hidden life of sin. In so doing, I too was extended compassion, rather than condemnation. For me, it was the beginning of a lifetime process of coming to God as an errant son, seeking grace and healing.
God's response to me has always been that of the prodigal's father -- absolute, loving acceptance, with help and hope for tomorrow.
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." ( James 4:10 ) "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:" ( 1 Peter 5:6 )