Are You For Real?
Are you for real, or do you wear a mask, projecting the image that you want others to have of you?
We all do it some. It’s common for people to ask, “How are you?” but they don’t usually want a rundown of all your aches and pains, or of your recent conflicts, insecurities, or sins. Quick, casual responses can be appropriate.
But, sometimes those three words say, “I care,” spoken from a heart of genuine concern. Nevertheless, we answer the same, “I’m fine!” with our masks carefully in place. We don’t want to show our weaknesses. After all, if we show our underbelly, we’ll be vulnerable.
However, by not being real with others about our struggles, we cut ourselves off from prayer, encouragement, and support from family, friends, and from God as He would minister to us through His body. We deny part of God’s provision for us.
How can we weep with those who weep or carry one another’s burdens if we don’t know what their problems are?
Or, from another angle, how can others weep with you or help carry your burden if they don’t know what you’re struggling with?
Are you going to church, singing in the choir, and taking up the offering while your family is being destroyed by anger, lust, substance abuse, financial struggles, failing health, idolatry, or another of the enemy’s tactics to destroy you?
God is with you. His salvation is available. But, it will not be applied to something that you keep carefully hidden away, denying that it’s a problem. If you want God’s help and healing, be real. Your relationship with Him will not be full as long as you keep things hidden from Him.
Take your mask off and seek His help. If you’ve taken it off and still can’t find the Lord’s face, take your mask off with a mature Christian friend who will go with you to the Lord.
When you keep your problems covered, they remain hidden, and the Lord does not force His way in. However, if you go to the Lord in humility, seeking help, He will not turn His back on you.
Are you willing to take your mask off and trust God with the hidden areas of your life?
What makes it hard to be open, real, and vulnerable?
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