hether you decide to risk something new or risk something again, the odds are you think about the rewards. A daring adventure might spark some new passion in your life. Working out and eating well promise to increase your health. Starting a new business venture might energize your creativity.

But there are certain risks we can take that do not appear to have obvious rewards. Sometimes, these are the risks most worth taking. Christians who want to develop strong, healthy and deep relationships must risk accountability.

Accountability does not sound exhilarating. Many Christians do not look forward to sharing their faults, failures and faux pas with God, let alone with another person. People often hinder their own transparency with God and others because they fear risk of rejection on external and internal levels. There are challenges to overcome for accountability to take root.

Becoming accountable with God requires admitting our need for him and humbling ourselves to surrender to his will. This does not come natural to us. We still have a penchant to want to earn God’s love versus accepting it as a free gift.

Moving toward accountability with another person means risking somebody else knowing you … warts and all. In a culture where supposed perfection earns respect and imperfection receives criticism, people who do not care to garner a magazine cover or media attention resist exposing their vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability with imperfect people presents another challenge. Our openness gives another person the opportunity to mishandle the information we share with them. Identifying someone trustworthy enough to listen and offer wise counsel and prayer while remaining discrete over a period of time takes discernment and effort on our part.

Accountability also means risking change. Heeding the counsel of God and others requires courage from us to move beyond our existing comfort levels to apply new thoughts and actions in our lives.

Despite the fears standing in the way of accountability, the rewards outweigh the risks.

Admitting weakness frees us up to see God for who he is and who we are not. Resting in his strength proves more beneficial and allows us to see God, ourselves and others in proper light.

Regardless of whether we make a wise or unwise choice in who we ask to hold us accountable, we make a commitment to be honest about ourselves. Continuing honesty with ourselves allows us to continue seeing the reality of God, our identity in him and the way to approach our relationships with others. Finding a reliable accountability partner becomes less stressful when we commit to honesty with ourselves.

Finally, Christians who seek to engage and grow in accountable relationships can benefit others as people begin to recognize and desire the peace accompanying a person who remains vulnerable before God and others. It is a great opportunity to share with them how accountability helps us.

Where do you stand regarding accountability? Are you overcoming fear of vulnerability and moving on toward healthier, accountable relationships? If not, missing out on the rewards of accountability in your relationships might prove the riskiest action of all.